: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people
Asian vs. Asiatic: Usage Guide
Asian is now solidly preferred to Asiatic; the latter persists mainly in the names of some kinds of flora and fauna.
an Asiatic lily
the Asiatic elephant
Asiatic still has some use as a geographical designator
the Asiatic side of the Bosporus
but has increasingly been considered offensive, especially as associated with the policies of colonialism.
1
: a native or inhabitant of Asia
2
: a person of Asian descent
Examples of Asian in a Sentence
Noun
There are many Asians living in South America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
In the state’s second-most-populous county, Middlesex, for example, eligible Asian American voters make up almost 38% of the electorate.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024
Hwang Dong-hyuk, who was the first Asian to win an Emmy for outstanding directing in a drama series, is back in the saddle, resuming his role as director, writer and producer.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Asian 
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Adjective
Irish, Jewish, Mexican, Asian, Indian and more — nearly all of us share roots with immigrant ancestors who braved hardship and uncertainty to build lives here.
—Josh Becker, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
In the state’s second-most-populous county, Middlesex, for example, eligible Asian American voters make up almost 38% of the electorate.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
Some questioned why Schmidt was singling out Asian Americans given that there were people of other backgrounds — white, Black, Middle Eastern — who also supported the math honors programs.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024
Hwang Dong-hyuk, who was the first Asian to win an Emmy for outstanding directing in a drama series, is back in the saddle, resuming his role as director, writer and producer.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Asian
Dictionary Entries Near Asian
Cite this Entry
“Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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