domestic dependent nation

noun

The group of people.

Similar
autonomous region
First used 1831
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Meanings

noundomestic dependent nation (uncountable)
  1. A term used to describe the relationship between the United States and Native American tribes.
    1. USuncountablegovernmentThe group of people.First known use 1831

      Although tribes are recognized as having inherent sovereignty, they are recognized as being ‘domestic dependent nations.’

      (Can we date this quote?), “General Principles of Federal Indian Law”, in University OF Alaska Fairbanks
    2. USuncountablegovernmentThe territory belonging to the group of people.First known use 1831

      Synonyms: autonomous region

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe territory belonging to the group of people.

Similar
autonomous region

Origin

Compound of domestic + dependent + nation. Coined in 1831, by Chief Justice John Marshall in the 1831 Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

domestic dependent nation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/domestic%20dependent%20nation

MLA

“domestic dependent nation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/domestic%20dependent%20nation. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “domestic dependent nation,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/domestic%20dependent%20nation.

Source: domestic dependent nation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.