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 prestigious program champions Asian American and Pacific Islander designers who are redefining American fashion through bold innovation and authentic storytelling rooted in cultural identity.
—
Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Other category includes American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-U.S. citizens, and individuals with two or more races.
Source: NCAA
Graphic: Nigel Chiwaya / NBC News
Locksley had been a career assistant before New Mexico hired him in 2009.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025
It is often seen in males and people with White European, Pacific Islander, or Asian ancestry.2
Diagnosing IgA Nephropathy
IgA nephropathy is diagnosed by a healthcare provider who will review medical history and perform a physical exam.
—David Hampton, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Chin’s death spurred Pan-Asian American activism across the U.S., leading to the eventual founding of organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice in 1991 and Stop Asian American Pacific Islander Hate in 2020.
—Jennifer Ho, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Pacific Islander
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Other category includes American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-U.S. citizens, and individuals with two or more races.
Source: NCAA
Graphic: Nigel Chiwaya / NBC News
Locksley had been a career assistant before New Mexico hired him in 2009.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025
It is often seen in males and people with White European, Pacific Islander, or Asian ancestry.2
Diagnosing IgA Nephropathy
IgA nephropathy is diagnosed by a healthcare provider who will review medical history and perform a physical exam.
—David Hampton, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Chin’s death spurred Pan-Asian American activism across the U.S., leading to the eventual founding of organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice in 1991 and Stop Asian American Pacific Islander Hate in 2020.
—Jennifer Ho, The Conversation, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Pacific Islander
Cite this Entry
“Pacific Islander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacific%20Islander. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share