Definition

Proper noun 1. A member of a group of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest: "Salish" refers to a member of any of the numerous Native American tribes whose traditional territories are in the northwestern United States and western Canada, particularly in the areas of the Pacific Northwest coast and the interior Plateau. 2. A language family: "Salish" also refers to the Salishan language family, a group of related languages spoken by these peoples.

Usage Examples

• Referring to a person or people:
• Referring to the language family:

Advanced Usage

• "Salish Sea": The official name for the interconnected waterways of the Strait of Georgia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound, named in recognition of the Salish peoples who have lived in the region for millennia.

Variants and Related Words

• Salishan (adjective): Pertaining to the Salish peoples or languages.
• Coast Salish: A subgroup of Salish peoples whose territories are along the Pacific coast.
• Interior Salish: A subgroup of Salish peoples whose traditional territories are in the interior plateau regions.

Synonyms

• Salishan (when used as a noun to refer to the language family or peoples).

Noun

1. a member of a group of North American Indians speaking a Salishan language and living on the northwest coast of North America
2. a family of Mosan language spoken in northwestern United States and western Canada