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koa

noun
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\ ˈkō-ə How to pronounce koa (audio) \

Definition of koa

1 : a Hawaiian timber tree (Acacia koa) with crescent-shaped phyllodes and pale yellow flowers borne in small round heads
2 : the fine-grained red wood of the koa used especially for furniture

Examples of koa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While Junior and Tani track down the thief who robbed his parents’ home, the team investigates the murder of a beloved philanthropist and the theft of his ultra-valuable koa tree. — Chuck Barney, Detroit Free Press, "TV highlights for the week of Nov. 17-23," 16 Nov. 2019 Ted’s collection of Hawaiian koa wood is used in dramatic features throughout the house. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Sausalito houseboat a salute to modern Danish art and Hawaiian wood," 31 Aug. 2019 The kitchen has custom birds-eye maple and koa cabinets and a unique lighting system that features red Venetian glass. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Sausalito houseboat a salute to modern Danish art and Hawaiian wood," 31 Aug. 2019 In the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, a wooden koa canoe—more than 100 years old and named Kaukahi—reflects the lights of the room in its highly polished surface. — Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, "Learn to Surf on the Break Where it All Began," 12 Aug. 2019 The living room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the views, and vintage Hawaiian koa-style lounge chairs designed by Sottsass (the art and decor are available for purchase as a separate sale). — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Eye-popping Ettore Sottsass-designed house hits the market in Hawaii," 3 Oct. 2018 American acacias range from Hawaii’s famous koa trees to Southwestern desert shrubs. — Debbie Arrington, sacbee, "This sure sign of (almost) spring offers drought relief, too," 16 Feb. 2018 Imported Acacia koa wood from the Hawaiian islands is used throughout the home. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "Home of The Week - Contemporary Balanise Masterpiece," 25 Dec. 2017 Last month, DeHoff and his wife, Tanja DeHoff, packed the koa box and flew to Japan. — Peter Rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "More than 75 years after Pearl Harbor, relics return to dead Japanese aviator's family," 3 July 2017

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

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First Known Use of koa

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for koa

Hawaiian

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Cite this Entry

“Koa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koa. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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