Lakota

noun

La·​ko·​ta lə-ˈkō-tə How to pronounce Lakota (audio)
plural Lakota also Lakotas
1
: a member of a western division of the Dakota peoples
2
: a dialect of Dakota

Examples of Lakota in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oglala Lakota runner Billy Mills was the first non-European to win Olympic gold in the 10-kilometer run with his upset, Olympic-record race at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Poet Layli Long Soldier, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, is also among this year’s cohort of fellows. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Walker, who documented Lakota society, religion and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, collected numerous materials from the tribe. — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026 Republican candidate Lance Rusell, state's attorney for Fall River and Oglala Lakota counties, is currently running unopposed. — Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Lakota

Word History

Etymology

Lakota lakʰóta, a self-designation

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lakota was in 1918

Rhymes for Lakota

See All Rhymes for Lakota

Browse Nearby Words

lakmus
Lakota
Lakshadweep
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lakota.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lakota. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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