Kawa

1 of 3

noun (1)

Ka·​wa
kəˈwä
plural -s
: wa

kawakawa

2 of 3

noun (2)

ka·​wa·​ka·​wa
¦käwə¦käwə
variants or kawa
plural -s
1
2
: a shrub or small tree (Piper excelsum) chiefly of New Zealand that has cordate to ovate aromatic leaves and is held to be sacred by the Maoris

kawakawa

3 of 3

noun (3)

"
plural kawakawa
Hawaii

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Maori

Noun (3)

Hawaiian

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kawa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kawa. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster