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.
Remarkably, in a game defined by the South American team’s lack of sportsmanship, this became the first World Cup game in which a Paraguay player did not receive a yellow card since 1998. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026 In this World Cup, the South American side has been difficult to solve, with three consecutive clean sheets. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 A bit of a scuffle broke out in the 34th minute when Andrés Cubas fouled Mbappé and the Frenchman pushed him in retaliation, revealing France’s frustrations at failing to break down the South American defense. Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 If Colombia loses, or Argentina falls to Egypt on the same day, there will be no meeting between the South American countries. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 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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Cite this Entry

“South American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/South%20American. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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