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
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Born of an amusement ride and opening to the public in 2026, this remarkably clever kiwi idea offers quick, cheap, on-demand urban transit – that's much more direct and private than public transport. New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025 Like prunes, kiwis are one of the few fruits studied for relieving constipation. Johna Burdeos, Health, 3 Sep. 2024 Here’s a pro tip: Try taking two kiwis a day — a 2021 study found that consuming two kiwis per day was just as effective in increasing stool frequency and reducing straining as prunes. Anjuman Ali, Washington Post, 27 June 2024 He’s captured the kiwi burger (with beet slices and fried egg) in New Zealand, the Croque McDo (with Emmental cheese and ham) in France, edamame and corn Happy Meals in Japan, the bulgogi burger in South Korea and pineapple pie à la mode in Thailand. Craig Nakano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kiwi 

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 22 Jan. 2025.

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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