Apache

noun

ə-ˈpa-chē How to pronounce Apache (audio)
in sense 3
ə-ˈpash How to pronounce Apache (audio)
plural Apache or Apaches ə-ˈpa-chēz How to pronounce Apache (audio)
-ˈpash, 
-ˈpa-shəz
1
: a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the southwestern U.S.
2
: any of the Athabascan languages of the Apache people
3
apache [French, from Apache "Apache"]
a
: a member of a gang of criminals especially in Paris
b
: ruffian
Apachean
ə-ˈpa-chē-ən How to pronounce Apache (audio)
adjective or noun

Examples of Apache in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Harry, who served in the British Armed Forces for a decade, was an Apache helicopter pilot for the Army Air Corps. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Hegseth even made a show of taking Kid Rock on an Apache flight afterward. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 In particular, it's conceived as a way of keeping valuable attack helicopters like the AH-54 Apache and their crews away from the heat of combat while acting as force multipliers to make the helicopter much more effective. — David Szondy july 21, New Atlas, 21 July 2026 The Justice Department sent election monitors to Maricopa, Apache and Pima counties on July 21, according to Harmeet Dhillon, the Justice Department’s Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Apache

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, perhaps from Zuni ʔa·paču Navajo, Apachean

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Apache was in 1703

Rhymes for Apache

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Browse Nearby Words

apace with
Apache
Apachean
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Cite this Entry

“Apache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Apache. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Apache

noun
ə-ˈpach-ē How to pronounce Apache (audio)
plural Apache or Apaches
: a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the southwestern U.S.
also : any of the languages of the Apache people

More from Merriam-Webster on Apache

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Apache

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