Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə How to pronounce Inca (audio)
1
a
: a member of the Quechuan peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest
b
: a king or noble of the Inca empire
2
: a member of any people under Inca influence
Incaic adjective
Incan adjective

Examples of Inca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There just before the Spanish Conquest, fearsome Indigenous community the Pastos, regrouping in the Andes’ Western Cordillera, stopped Inca empire expansion northwards in its tracks. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2025 Peru was home to a number of cultures in the ancient and medieval periods including the Inca Empire. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 The Inca institutionalized this sacred status; killing a vicuña was forbidden, and only nobility could wear its wool. David Nolan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025 José Capriles / Penn State CC BY 4.0 View gallery - 4 images Long before the Inka (commonly known as Inca in English) rose to power, a mysterious civilization bloomed on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Inca

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua inka ruler of the Inca empire

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Inca was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Inca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Inca. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Inca

noun
In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə How to pronounce Inca (audio)
1
: a noble or a member of the Indigenous peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest
2
: a member of any people under Inca influence
Incan adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Inca

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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