nonindigenous
adjective
non·in·dig·e·nous
ˌnän-in-ˈdi-jə-nəs 
variants
or non-indigenous
1
: not produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment : not indigenous
nonindigenous plant species
nonindigenous music
2
non-Indigenous
or less commonly non-indigenous
or nonindigenous
: of or relating to someone who is not an Indigenous person : not belonging to or descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a place
We were both Ojibwe, raised in non-Indigenous homes. He called me Dukester; I called him Goose.—
Duke Redbird
Duke RedbirdWhen collaborative research projects work well, they establish an equitable relationship between the non-Indigenous researcher and the Indigenous community, recognize the struggles of that community and value its strengths.—Deborah McGregor
Deborah McGregor[Bula] Ghosh said that they hope what they can accomplish from events like these is a building of trust between indigenous and the non-indigenous population …—Tanner Wallace-Scribner
Tanner Wallace-ScribnerFor a lot of nonindigenous people, visiting the Grand Canyon is a bucket list item, something you check it off your list. But this website tells stories about the Grand Canyon that are very different from that.—Melissa Sevigny
Melissa SevignyExamples of nonindigenous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many winemakers in Bolgheri and throughout Tuscany use nonindigenous grapes such as Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon either alone or in a blend.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
Much of Washington Heights is old farmland The area's earliest nonindigenous civilization in the Washington Heights area began in 1835.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
The lizard may also have or spread nonindigenous parasites or pathogens to native wildlife.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
Approximately 6,500 nonindigenous species are in the U.S., posing risks to native plants, animals, and ecosystems—but 37 of those species are edible.
—Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2022
Cher learned of Kaavan’s plight in 2016 and hired a legal team to press for his freedom, citing inhumane treatment of a nonindigenous animal.
—Charles McDermid and Bopha Phorn, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2020
The nearly two million indigenous peoples in Canada are also poorly served by the country’s health care system, with rates of suicide, infant mortality, and chronic disease that are much higher than those of the nonindigenous population.
—Nathan Whitlock, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
Apart from the local activity of the Urarina, other indigenous groups and some nonindigenous people, the Pastaza-Marañón peatlands remain in nearly pristine condition.
—Daniel Grossman, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2020
Most of Monday’s victims were nonindigenous Papuan people, the police said.
—Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2019
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Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
Much of Washington Heights is old farmland The area's earliest nonindigenous civilization in the Washington Heights area began in 1835.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024
The lizard may also have or spread nonindigenous parasites or pathogens to native wildlife.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2024
Approximately 6,500 nonindigenous species are in the U.S., posing risks to native plants, animals, and ecosystems—but 37 of those species are edible.
—Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2022
Cher learned of Kaavan’s plight in 2016 and hired a legal team to press for his freedom, citing inhumane treatment of a nonindigenous animal.
—Charles McDermid and Bopha Phorn, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2020
The nearly two million indigenous peoples in Canada are also poorly served by the country’s health care system, with rates of suicide, infant mortality, and chronic disease that are much higher than those of the nonindigenous population.
—Nathan Whitlock, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
Apart from the local activity of the Urarina, other indigenous groups and some nonindigenous people, the Pastaza-Marañón peatlands remain in nearly pristine condition.
—Daniel Grossman, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2020
Most of Monday’s victims were nonindigenous Papuan people, the police said.
—Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Nonindigenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonindigenous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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