kiwi

noun ki·wi \ ˈkē-(ˌ)wē \

Definition of kiwi

1 :any of a small genus (Apteryx) of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage

2 capitalized :a native or resident of New Zealand —used as a nickname

3 :kiwifruit

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Recent Examples of kiwi from the Web

Alpha-hydroxy acid gently dissolves dead, peeling skin cells from pores, while kiwi extract boosts collagen production for firmer, more healthy-looking skin.

— adam hurly, GQ, "The Best Face Masks Will Do Wonders for Your Mug," 17 Aug. 2017
The six signature cocktails ($7) all feature the local brand Tart vodka, emphasizing summer-friendly fruit flavors like pineapple and kiwi.

— wesley case, baltimoresun.com, "Revived Baltimore Eagle leather bar pulsates with good energy," 21 July 2017
A flight attendant stops by with almonds, cashews, kiwi and grapes.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "Conor McGregor is flying high as he jousts with Floyd Mayweather on publicity tour," 13 July 2017
To make: Blend together 4 oz. (1/2 cup) light strawberry yogurt, 1 cup partially thawed frozen strawberries (no sugar added), 1 peeled kiwi, and 1 cup crushed ice (about 6 ice cubes).

— lisa lillien, Redbook, "4 Better, Slimmer Smoothies You Can Make At Home," 13 July 2017
Now, kiwi berries are here to take over as the cutest healthy snack on your Instagram feed.

— zoe weiner, SELF, "Kiwi Berries Are Tiny Fruits That Were Basically Made for Instagram," 28 June 2017
The miniature fruit is basically a kiwi the size of a berry, Delish reports.

— zoe weiner, SELF, "Kiwi Berries Are Tiny Fruits That Were Basically Made for Instagram," 28 June 2017
Zuckerman dresses up butter cake with a caramelized pineapple ring, kiwi-mango salad and spiced syrup, and her cookies and cream features broken pieces of black fudge cake, vanilla-bean mousse and sambucca chocolate sauce.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Here's why a table at Fulton Market Kitchen should be a tough get," 23 June 2017
On the other hand, birds like kiwis, which have extremely symmetrical eggs, aren’t.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "Scientists Hatch a New Explanation for How Eggs Get Their Shapes," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kiwi.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

A kiwi is any of three species of chicken-sized, grayish brown flightless birds found in New Zealand. Their Maori name refers to the male's shrill call. Kiwis have vestigial wings hidden within the plumage; nostrils at the tip (rather than the base) of the long flexible bill; soft, hairlike feathers; and stout, muscular legs. Each of the four toes has a large claw. Kiwis live in forests, where they sleep by day and forage for worms, insects and their larvae, and berries at night. They run swiftly and use their claws in defense when cornered.

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Origin and Etymology of kiwi

Maori

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First Known Use: 1835

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KIWI Defined for English Language Learners

kiwi

noun

Definition of kiwi for English Language Learners

Kiwi : a person who lives in or is from New Zealand
: a bird from New Zealand that cannot fly and that has a long bill

KIWI Defined for Kids

kiwi

noun ki·wi \ ˈkē-wē \

Definition of kiwi for Students

1 :a grayish brown bird of New Zealand that is unable to fly

2 :kiwifruit

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See words that rhyme with kiwi Spanish Central: Translation of kiwi Nglish: Translation of kiwi for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of kiwi for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kiwi

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