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Brian's license had been revoked and his new job threatened after a third DWI.Lee Durkee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.
Court records show Miranda Martinez has three DWI convictions since 2012. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2026 People who are charged with DUI/DWI or reckless driving will need to determine how to defend against criminal charges. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026 Court records show that Smith had a DWI charge in November 2001 and an arrest order was later issued for failure to appear, records indicate. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026 Justin Timberlake’s legal team bought some time in his suit against Sag Harbor Village Police Department to block the release of body camera footage from his 2024 DWI arrest. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026 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 18 Mar. 2026.

Legal Definition

DWI

abbreviation
driving while intoxicated
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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