Arawak

noun

Ar·​a·​wak ˈa-rə-ˌwäk 

-ˌwak,

ˈer-ə-

plural Arawak or Arawaks

1

: a member of an Indian people of the Arawakan group now living chiefly along the coast of Guyana

2

: the language of the Arawak people

Examples of Arawak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For authentic Bahamian food and drink, make a beeline for Arawak Cay, which is dotted with mom-and-pop restaurants and bars housed in colorful buildings. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2024

The Indigenous Arawak people used their shells as ceremonial objects, musical instruments and tools, and European settlers used them in construction and for communication between ships. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024

Here are some notable events to have occurred on Feb. 29. 1504 – Christopher Columbus predicted eclipse Explorer Christopher Columbus and his crew were stranded in Jamaica and relying on assistance from the native Arawak tribe. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024

Her goal is to boost Taíno culture by reviving the Arawak language, preserving cultural sites and establishing preserves for indigenous people. —Robert M. Poole, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Oct. 2011

Word History

Etymology

earlier Arwaca, Aroaca, an Arawak subgroup of 16th century Trinidad, perhaps from an Arawak name for the subgroup

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Arawak

noun

Ar·​a·​wak ˈar-ə-ˌwäk 

plural Arawak or Arawaks

: a member of an Indigenous people chiefly of Guyana