Kanak

noun

Ka·​nak kə-ˈnäk How to pronounce Kanak (audio) -ˈnak How to pronounce Kanak (audio)
: a native Melanesian inhabitant of New Caledonia

Examples of Kanak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The measure was aimed at giving greater representation to the Kanak population, who make up about 40% of the population. Ben Westcott, Fortune Asia, 23 May 2024 Starting in the 1970s, in the wake of a nickel boom that drew outsiders, tensions rose on the island, with various conflicts between Paris and Kanak independence movements. Gabriel Stargardter, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024 Protests erupted last week following legislative changes that could reduce the voting power of the indigenous Kanak community. Diane Brady, Fortune, 21 May 2024 Political tensions have simmered for years in the archipelago — pitting the island's largely pro-independence Indigenous Kanak communities against the mostly French inhabitants opposed to breaking away from France. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 15 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Kanak.' 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 canaque, probably from English Kanaka South Sea islander, from Hawaiian, person

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Kanak was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near Kanak

Cite this Entry

“Kanak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kanak. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

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