kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē How to pronounce kiwi (audio)
1
: any of a small genus (Apteryx) of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage
2
capitalized : a native or resident of New Zealand
used as a nickname
3

Illustration of kiwi

Illustration of kiwi
  • kiwi 1

Did you know?

A kiwi is any of three species of chicken-sized, grayish brown flightless birds found in New Zealand. Their Maori name refers to the male's shrill call. Kiwis have vestigial wings hidden within the plumage; nostrils at the tip (rather than the base) of the long flexible bill; soft, hairlike feathers; and stout, muscular legs. Each of the four toes has a large claw. Kiwis live in forests, where they sleep by day and forage for worms, insects and their larvae, and berries at night. They run swiftly and use their claws in defense when cornered.

Examples of kiwi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Our spring green smoothie combines asparagus, spinach, green grapes, and kiwis for a tasty green drink that's packed full of vitamins. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 It’s formulated with hydrating avocado and chia seed oil, as well as vitamin-rich kiwi and spinach, which work together to soften, strengthen, and protect your locks. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Fruits contain less protein generally, but a single banana still offers 1.5 grams of protein, and a cup of sliced guava, kiwi, or apricots contain between 2-4 grams of protein. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 For example, studies have linked consumption of fatty fish, dairy, kiwi fruit, tart cherries and other berries such as strawberries and blueberries with better sleep. Erica Jansen, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 The kiwi, the country’s national bird, was reintroduced to the wild near the capital, Wellington, last year. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Jan. 2024 Eating kiwis could be a way to boost your vitamin C intake, but eating kiwis alone isn’t enough to prevent an illness. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2023 New Zealand is home to 156 species of birds, many of whom cannot fly and face an existential threat from predators, including the national icon, the kiwi. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023 Other possibilities: star fruit, kiwi berries and fresh currants from the farmers market. Becky Krystal, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kiwi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kiwi was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near kiwi

Cite this Entry

“Kiwi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiwi. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kiwi

noun
ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē How to pronounce kiwi (audio)
1
: a flightless New Zealand bird with weak and undeveloped wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike feathers
2

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