Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə 

1

a

: a member of the Quechuan peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest

b

: a king or noble of the Inca empire

2

: a member of any people under Inca influence

Incaic

in-ˈkā-ik 

adjective

Incan

ˈiŋ-kən 

adjective

Examples of Inca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Previous studies in the valley have led to the discovery of rock paintings, the remains of Inca roads and shell dumps from gathering and fishing communities along the coast, according to the university. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

With just a hint of wintergreen oil, this was the preferred coca of the Inca, not to mention the key ingredient in the secret formula of Coca-Cola. —Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025

Blockchain intelligence firm Inca Digital found that terrorist organizations including Hamas and Hezbollah have used Sun’s blockchain to move more than $2 billion in funds. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

The dining room banquette is upholstered in Claremont’s Inca stripe. —David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua inka ruler of the Inca empire

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for Inca

• dinka
• vinca

Kids Definition

Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə 

1

: a noble or a member of the Indigenous peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest

2

: a member of any people under Inca influence

Incan

-kən 

adjective