kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

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

Illustration of kiwi

• kiwi 1

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.

Examples of kiwi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The collection is powered by good-for-you ingredients such as Manuka honey, kiwi seed oil, and sea buckthorn oil, among others. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

One of the examples is New Zealand kiwi producer Zespri, which has embedded sustainability KPIs for its production and business growth plans, while guaranteeing fair returns to its growers. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Stoats would also pose a significant threat to the Rakiura Island’s southern brown kiwi population, experts said. —Lauren Liebhaber july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2025

Then top with your fruit of choice (Nasser likes one kiwi fruit) and a drizzle of almond butter and honey. —Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 7 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

1

: a flightless New Zealand bird with weak and undeveloped wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike feathers

2

: kiwifruit