Nez Percé

noun

ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā
variants or Nez Perce
1
plural Nez Percé or Nez Percés ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā,
or
ˈnez-ˈpər-səz How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈper-səz;
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā(z)
or Nez Perce or Nez Perces ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈpers,
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā,
or
ˈnez-ˈpər-səz How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
ˈnes-ˈper-səz;
 nonstandard  ˈnā-per-ˈsā(z)
: a member of an Indigenous people originally of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon

Note: Current-day members of the tribe live on the Nez Percé Reservation in Idaho.

2
: the language of the Nez Percé people

Examples of Nez Percé in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her father, who is of Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage, is descended from Red Crow, a Kainai Nation chief. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 With her Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage, Gladstone became the first Native American to be nominated for a leading actor award in the Academy’s 96-year history. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 Her father is of Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage, while her mother is of European descent. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024 Gladstone, who is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce descent, has expressed great pride in the film, and especially all the contributions made by various members of the Osage Nation, but remained frank about the film’s violence and brutality. Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024 Gladstone, who has Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage, spent her early years on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana before moving to Seattle. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024 Gladstone, who is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce descent, has expressed deep pride in the film, and especially all the contributions made by various members of the Osage Nation, but remained frank about the film’s violence and brutality. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2024 My grandma was born and raised in a little log cabin during the Depression, on the Nez Perce reservation in Lapwai. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2024 In 1994, the Nez Perce Tribe began restoring the fishery with the aid of hatcheries. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Nez Percé.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, pierced nose

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Nez Percé was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near Nez Percé

Cite this Entry

“Nez Percé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Nez%20Perc%C3%A9. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Nez Percé

noun
variants or Nez Perce
ˈnez-ˈpərs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio) ˈnes-ˈpe(ə)rs How to pronounce Nez Percé (audio)
 French  nā-per-sā
plural Nez Percé or Nez Percés or Nez Perce or Nez Perces
: a member of an American Indian people of central Idaho and neighboring parts of Washington and Oregon
Etymology

French, literally "pierced nose"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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