kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

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

: kiwifruit

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

Native species protection: The station is working to protect endangered species such as the blue duck, kiwi, and New Zealand falcon (kārearea), and aims to reintroduce species like the Brown Teal (pāteke) in the future. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Generally, dragon fruit tastes like a lightly sweet combination of a kiwi and a pear, with a slight taste of barely ripe watermelon. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025

Bananas, strawberries, apples, mangoes, pears, and kiwis are great candidates for this. —Christina Manian, Health, 18 June 2025

Think strawberry, mandarin orange, yellow watermelon, kiwi and blueberry. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

1

: a flightless New Zealand bird with weak and undeveloped wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike feathers

2

: kiwifruit