1
: an Australasian shrubby pepper (Piper methysticum) from whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made
also
: the beverage made from kava
2
: the dried rhizome and roots of the kava used especially as a dietary supplement chiefly to relieve stress and anxiety
Examples of kava in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, kava has been said to decrease anxiety and hot flashes—but the FDA has issued a warning about kava because of its potential to damage the liver, according to NAMS.
—
Emilia Benton, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
Beyond its beaches, travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting crafts markets and participating in traditional kava ceremonies.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
Dinners are communal and hosted by a different team member each night, and there’s also a nightly kava ceremony for further bonding with the longtime staff.
—Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2023
And then there’s the kava.
—Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 21 Apr. 2021
This product has quickly become a leader with its unique mix of CBD and kava extracts, essential oils, and botanicals that help create an intimate experience like no other.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023
During his visit, Charles was appointed honorary chief and drank kava.
—Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2021
The Fijian natives who famously use kava take much higher doses of Kavalactones than are present in over-the-counter supplements like Psychedelic Water, Johnson explains.
—Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 20 Jan. 2023
Olvia Wilde prepares the kava while Nick Kroll grills up some plantains.
—Vulture, 6 Oct. 2022
See More
Emilia Benton, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
Beyond its beaches, travelers can immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting crafts markets and participating in traditional kava ceremonies.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023
Dinners are communal and hosted by a different team member each night, and there’s also a nightly kava ceremony for further bonding with the longtime staff.
—Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2023
And then there’s the kava.
—Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 21 Apr. 2021
This product has quickly become a leader with its unique mix of CBD and kava extracts, essential oils, and botanicals that help create an intimate experience like no other.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023
During his visit, Charles was appointed honorary chief and drank kava.
—Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2021
The Fijian natives who famously use kava take much higher doses of Kavalactones than are present in over-the-counter supplements like Psychedelic Water, Johnson explains.
—Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 20 Jan. 2023
Olvia Wilde prepares the kava while Nick Kroll grills up some plantains.
—Vulture, 6 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kava.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Tongan & Marquesan, literally, bitter
First Known Use
1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing kava
Dictionary Entries Near kava
Cite this Entry
“Kava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kava. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Medical Definition
kava
noun
ka·va
ˈkäv-ə 
1
: an Australasian shrubby pepper (Piper methysticum) from whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made
also
: the beverage
2
: a preparation consisting of the ground dried rhizome and roots of the kava plant that is used as a dietary supplement chiefly to relieve stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness and in folk medicine especially as a diuretic and urogenital antiseptic and that has been linked to cases of severe liver injury
More from Merriam-Webster on kava
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kava
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