DWI

abbreviation or noun

ˌdē-ˌdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü-ˈī 

plural DWIs

1

US : the crime of driving a vehicle while intoxicated : dui

was arrested for DWI

a DWI charge/case

2

US : an arrest or conviction for driving while intoxicated

Brian's license had been revoked and his new job threatened after a third DWI.

—Lee Durkee

3

US : a person who is arrested for or convicted of driving under the influence

a convicted DWI

Examples of DWI in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was pulled over by the cops after his honeypot encounter with Alice, but talked his way out of a DWI and is still on the street. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026

Christopher Siegel was sentenced to 60 days in jail and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated in Clay County in May 2023 — his fourth DWI since 2016. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026

The Washington Commanders fired tight end coach Ben Steele on the eve of training camp following a DWI arrest in June. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

The three charges — DWI, refusing testing and obstruction/resisting arrest — are all class 1 misdemeanors in Virginia. — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

driving while intoxicated

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for DWI

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Legal Definition

DWI

abbreviation

driving while intoxicated