DWI

abbreviation or noun

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Brian's license had been revoked and his new job threatened after a third DWI.Lee Durkee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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prosecutors say that two years before the fire, the woman was convicted of a misdemeanor DWI after driving her car into a ditch with a toddler inside the vehicle who was not in a car seat. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 30 Dec. 2025 At the time of the shooting, García-Hernández, 31, a Mexican national, was being held in federal custody after being arrested for a DWI in Arlington back in August, NBC 5 DFW reported. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025 Cases began in 1999, span four counties Court records show that Speer’s DWI cases date back to 1999, when he was found guilty in Nodaway County Circuit Court of driving while intoxicated. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025 Garcia, a 31-year-old father of four, was in ICE custody after being arrested for a DWI in Tarrant County. Rick Jervis, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for DWI

Word History

Etymology

driving while intoxicated

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of DWI was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“DWI.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DWI. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

DWI

abbreviation
driving while intoxicated
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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