Bantu

noun

Ban·​tu ˈban-(ˌ)tü  ˈbän- 

plural Bantu or Bantus

1

: a family of Niger-Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa

2

: a member of any of a group of African peoples who speak Bantu languages

Examples of Bantu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislation institutes federal protections against discrimination of natural hairstyles, such as curly and kinky hair, as well as protective styles like Bantu knots, locs and twists. —Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025

Hairstylist Nick Irwin led with his own take on exaggerated Bantu knots—also seen at Abigail Ajobi’s off schedule show—as well as classic cornrows and synthetic braids. —Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025

This was my exact thought when listening to snippets of his new album, Hymns of Bantu. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025

The New York Times reported that the thief wrote their message in Luganda, a Bantu language of Uganda. —Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

ba-, a plural noun classifier + -ntu, noun base meaning "person" in several Bantu languages

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Bantu

noun

Ban·​tu ˈban-(ˌ)tü  ˈbän- 

plural Bantu or Bantus

1

: a group of African languages spoken in central and southern Africa

2

: a member of any of a group of African peoples who speak Bantu languages