: of, relating to, or characteristic of Southeast Asia (a region of indefinite boundaries usually thought of as including Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam and sometimes Singapore, Indonesia, and/or the Philippines) or its people
plural Southeast Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of Southeast Asia
2
: a person of Southeast Asian descent
Examples of Southeast Asian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2026
The name is derived from Naga, a mythological serpent-like being found in Southeast Asian folklore, while titan is one of the 12 giants of Greek mythology.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Start your day with a stack of what might be the world’s greatest flapjacks at the Palace Diner, grab a Southeast Asian-style sandwich for the beach at BiddoBanh, and end the day with award-winning cocktails, fantastic food, and unparalleled hospitality at Magnus on Water.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
As trade policies have shifted the global trade landscape, Seroka highlighted that Vietnam’s growth as a sourcing hub has tilted the scales in pricing power, while also boosting the reliability of the Southeast Asian nation’s vendors.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
With the House vote on Monday, Duterte, who comes from one of the country’s most prominent political dynasties, became the first official in the Southeast Asian country’s history to be impeached twice.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 11 May 2026
Southeast Asian nations, heavily reliant on Gulf oil, have borne the brunt of the energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Among animals, the Southeast Asian soldier fly Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides (order Diptera, family Stratiomyidae) holds that honor with 42 letters in its name.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Suu Kyi, 80, has been detained by the junta since and her whereabouts have been unclear amid a deadly civil war that was triggered by the February 2021 coup that has engulfed much of the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.
—CNN Money, 1 May 2026
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Adjective
Galangal is a root often used in Southeast Asian cooking.
—Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2026
The name is derived from Naga, a mythological serpent-like being found in Southeast Asian folklore, while titan is one of the 12 giants of Greek mythology.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Start your day with a stack of what might be the world’s greatest flapjacks at the Palace Diner, grab a Southeast Asian-style sandwich for the beach at BiddoBanh, and end the day with award-winning cocktails, fantastic food, and unparalleled hospitality at Magnus on Water.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
As trade policies have shifted the global trade landscape, Seroka highlighted that Vietnam’s growth as a sourcing hub has tilted the scales in pricing power, while also boosting the reliability of the Southeast Asian nation’s vendors.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
With the House vote on Monday, Duterte, who comes from one of the country’s most prominent political dynasties, became the first official in the Southeast Asian country’s history to be impeached twice.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 11 May 2026
Southeast Asian nations, heavily reliant on Gulf oil, have borne the brunt of the energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Among animals, the Southeast Asian soldier fly Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides (order Diptera, family Stratiomyidae) holds that honor with 42 letters in its name.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Suu Kyi, 80, has been detained by the junta since and her whereabouts have been unclear amid a deadly civil war that was triggered by the February 2021 coup that has engulfed much of the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.
—CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Southeast Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Southeast%20Asian. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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