South American

adjective

: of, relating to, or characteristic of South America (a continent of the western hemisphere lying between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans southeast of North America) or its people

South American noun

plural South Americans

Examples of South American 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.

Stronger trade winds help to move warm surface water away from the South American coast, which stimulates upwelling—that is, the movement of cold, dense, and nutrient-rich deep ocean water toward the surface. — John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026 Brazil is the first South American nation to host the tournament and will play in the opener on June 24 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the 73,000 seat Maracana, which also hosted the 2014 men's World Cup final. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 The 17,000-square-foot space, with its sensory thermal sanctuary, rituals rooted in South American healing traditions and cutting-edge treatments, instantly caught the attention of wellness junkies. — Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Wild Horse Nine stars Malkovich and Rockwell as two CIA operatives who travel from Santiago, Chile, to Easter Island amid the tense lead-up to the South American nation’s 1973 coup. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for South American

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of South American was in 1683

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Style

“South American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20American. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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South American

adjective

Examples of South American in a Sentence

Word History

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