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Pacific Islander
noun
plural Pacific Islanders
: a native or a descendant of a native of one of the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
Examples of Pacific Islander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander voters has grown by 100 percent.
—
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Corky's photography became a catalyst for ethnic studies, ensuring that the history of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans would be accurately researched, depicted, and taught.
—
John Lee, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2025
The bank’s Lift Up Homeownership Program is meant to help first-time homebuyers who are Black, Latino, Native American, Asian or native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander make a down payment on a home.
—
Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
With more than half of San Diego’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents being first-generation immigrants, creating opportunities for intergenerational connection is essential.
—
Jason Paguio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Pacific Islander
Cite this Entry
“Pacific Islander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacific%20Islander. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
Pacific Islander
noun
: a native or a descendant of a native of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
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