Okanagan

comparative more Okanagan · superlative most Okanagan

1. Of or relating to the Syilx people.

plural Okanagans

1. A member of the Syilx people.

1. uncountablehuman sciencesA Salish language which arose among the indigenous peoples of the southern Interior Plateau region based primarily in the Okanagan River Basin and the Columbia River Basin.

   Okanagan, a Southern Interior Salish language spoken in northern Washington state and southern British Columbia, exhibits a peculiar set of pronominal morphemes that surely are a testament to a diverse and varied history.

   2002, Paul Barthamier, “Unpacking the Okanagan Person-Marking Conundrum”, in Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society, volume 28, →DOI, pages 51-62

   Synonyms: Colville-Okanagan, n̓səl̓xcin̓, Nsyilxcən, nsyilxcən

2. A region of British Columbia, covering the basin of Okanagan Lake and the Okanagan River valley.

   The cooler weather has arrived in the Okanagan and a light dusting of snow can be seen high up in the hills.

   2025 November 18, Cheyanna Lorraine, “Hawaii got snow before the Okanagan did this year”, in KelownaNow

   1 more example

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday that the Canadian Forces are being deployed to the Okanagan to assist with evacuations, staging and other logistical tasks.

   2023 August 20, Kathy Michaels, “National help being sent to the Okanagan for fires; cadet camp opens doors to evacuees”, in Global News

   Synonyms: Okanagan Valley, Okanagan Country