Cherokee

noun

Cher·​o·​kee ˈcher-ə-(ˌ)kē How to pronounce Cherokee (audio)
ˈche-rə-
1
plural Cherokee or Cherokees : a member of a nation of once-nomadic Indigenous peoples located originally in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina
2
: the Iroquoian language of the Cherokee people

Examples of Cherokee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Linville’s hit would’ve been a homer had Cherokee Trail junior center fielder Isabelle Becker not robbed her at the fence. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2024 Heff’s parents supported his budding car habit, providing him with a Jeep Cherokee, the must-have rich-boy ride of the time. Mark Oppenheimer, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2024 The motorist group conducted its test on a private closed course using older (2017–2018) and newer versions (2024) of the same three vehicles: Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Outback. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2024 In September, Cherokee Film Institute announced plans for its first class of students to begin in January. Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Cherokee 

Word History

Etymology

probably ultimately from Creek calá·kki

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cherokee was in 1721

Dictionary Entries Near Cherokee

Cite this Entry

“Cherokee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cherokee. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Cherokee

noun
Cher·​o·​kee ˈcher-ə-ˌkē How to pronounce Cherokee (audio)
: a member of an Indigenous people originally from Tennessee and North Carolina
also : their language

More from Merriam-Webster on Cherokee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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