non-African

adjective

non-Af·​ri·​can ˌnän-ˈa-fri-kən How to pronounce non-African (audio)
 also  -ˈä-
: not of, relating to, or characteristic of Africa or its people : not African
non-African families
non-African languages

Examples of non-African 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.
Among the most powerless in the country, they were confined to this space, while white and non-African people who contracted Ebola were evacuated from Liberia. Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025 For example, there are two HBCUs in the Western Virginia territory that are almost 90% non-African American. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025 Evidence for some of those specific blood types can now be found only in non-African populations. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 Though some might be surprised to see Neanderthal DNA in their ancestry test results, people of non-African descent derive 1 to 4 percent of their genomes from this extinct human cousin. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024 Most non-African people can attribute around 1% to 2% of their DNA to Neanderthal ancestors, linked to traits like skin pigmentation, immune response and metabolism. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2024 Radiocarbon dating of bone fragments from Ranis, Germany, were shown to have 2.9% Neanderthal ancestry, which the authors believe occurred from a single mixing event common among all non-African individuals. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024 Most non-African people can attribute around 1% to 2% of their DNA to Neanderthal ancestors. Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 In a separate case, a group of plaintiffs identifying as non-African Americans filed a lawsuit in western Louisiana, arguing that the new map violated the Constitution by overly prioritizing race. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of non-African was in 1856

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Cite this Entry

“Non-African.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-African. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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