kite

1 of 2

noun

1
: a light frame covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, often provided with a stabilizing tail, and designed to be flown in the air at the end of a long string
2
: any of various usually small hawks (family Accipitridae) with long narrow wings and often a notched or forked tail
3
: a person who preys on others
4
: a check drawn against uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised before cashing
5
: a light sail used in a light breeze usually in addition to the regular working sails
especially : spinnaker
kitelike adjective

kite

2 of 2

verb

kited; kiting

transitive verb

1
: to use (a bad check) to get credit or money
2
: to cause to soar
kited the prices they charged wealthy clients

intransitive verb

1
a
: to go in a rapid, carefree, or flighty manner
b
: to rise rapidly : soar
2
: to get money or credit by a kite
kiter noun

Examples of kite in a Sentence

Noun The children were flying kites. characterized the financial advisors as kites who took advantage of their customers
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Mint's Colorful Life Delta Kite for Kids $24 $17 If there was ever a classic outdoor toy that has stood the test of time, the delta kite is it. Laura Lu, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024 Moving north, visitors can explore Truro’s Pilgrim Heights in search of the elusive Mississippi kite, then head to one of Cape Cod’s most famous towns. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Strapping yourself to a giant kite and jumping into the ocean is never risk-free. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Amenities include a sauna, a steam bath and a large swimming pool, plus activities — cricket, chess and kite flying — for kids. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 29 Jan. 2024 Bring out your own kite with the family to try your hand at flying, or roll out a blanket and stare up at the show above. Clilly, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The characteristics are typical of desert kite structures in southeastern Jordanian kites. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2024 At the time these were were kites and balloons carrying Molotov cocktails flown from Gaza. David Hambling, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The kite, surf, skate, and paddle shop provides a range of rentals — including beach cruisers, beach chairs, and beach umbrellas — and carries apparel brands like Roxy, Huk, and O’Neill. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2024
Verb
Plus, check out paper kite building classes, kite-flying competitions, refreshments, and kites for sale. Clilly, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Fortifying the city On a recent weekday, tourists and locals fly kites on a towering structure with dazzling views of Singapore’s skyline. TIME, 10 Oct. 2023 Royal Air Force pilots flying over the region in the 1920s gave the structures their name due to their kite-like shape. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2022 Keros Beach on Limnos is one of the best places to kite or windsurf in Europe. Eleni N. Gage, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2021 Got stacks of your kid’s artwork? Clip the birthday child's creations to kite string and hang it along the walls, no tape necessary. Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, National Geographic, 26 Feb. 2020 The ecommerce giant maintains a list of restricted product categories that ranges from weapons such as firearms, to booze and tobacco products, to pets, to kite strings for the niche sport of kite fighting. Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 1 July 2019 My favorite board to kite on in all different conditions, from big waves to small, mushy waves. David Walters, Marie Claire, 24 May 2018 Here's hoping City Hosts will have a different outcome — and to consequently kite surfing in San Fran. Kelsey Kloss, ELLE Decor, 15 Sep. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kite.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cȳta; akin to Middle High German kūze owl

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kite was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near kite

Cite this Entry

“Kite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kite. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kite

noun
ˈkīt
1
: any of various usually small hawks with long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail
2
: a light covered frame for flying in the air at the end of a long string

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