The term squaw is considered offensive by Indigenous peoples in America and Canada due to its use for hundreds of years in a derogatory context [3] that demeans Native American women.

The meaning of SQUAW is an Indigenous woman of North America.

SQUAW definition: a contemptuous term used to refer to a North American Indian woman, especially a wife. See examples of squaw used in a sentence.

Many streets, cities, and other items have used the term squaw in their names. With the negative connotation of the word squaw, many people are now pushing for these items to be renamed. The …

2 meanings: offensive 1. a Native American woman 2. slang, usually facetious a woman or wife.... Click for more definitions.

In its historical origin, however, the word squaw is perfectly innocent, as current dictionaries also correctly indicate: squaw comes from a language of the Algonquian family in which it meant "woman.''

Jan 13, 2026 · Noun squaw (plural squaws) (now offensive, ethnic slur) A woman, wife; especially a Native American woman.

For members of the Nimíipuu community, the word "squaw" is understood as an alien, non-Indian term, introduced first by the Corps of Discovery and Lewis and Clark in 1805, and used by early fur traders …

The derogatory overtone was obvious to any fisherman: It’s a squaw’s fish because nobody else would eat its soft, bony flesh. Like an Indian woman, it’s disposable.

Definition of squaw noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.