Tibetan

noun

Ti·​bet·​an tə-ˈbe-tᵊn 

1

: a member of the predominant people of Tibet and adjacent areas of Asia

also : the Tibeto-Burman language of the Tibetan people

2

: a native inhabitant of Tibet

Tibetan adjective

Examples of Tibetan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism marked the milestone with significant announcements about his future, including plans to reincarnate after death and hopes to live until age 130. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, which is estimated to have millions of followers across the world. —Britt Clennett, ABC News, 7 July 2025

The Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s highest spiritual leader, has personally given polio vaccinations to children. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 July 2025

The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, ahead of his 90th birthday, stated that he would be reincarnated after his death and that no one can interfere with the succession process. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Tibetan

• Sino-Tibetan
• Tibetan Buddhism
• Tibetan terrier

Rhymes for Tibetan

• kinetin
• chloromycetin
• threaten

Kids Definition

Tibetan

noun

Ti·​bet·​an tə-ˈbet-ᵊn 

1

: a native inhabitant of Tibet

2

: the language of the Tibetan people

Tibetan adjective