koa

noun \ ˈkō-ə \

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

Recent Examples of koa from the Web

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
A 200-year-old koa wood outrigger canoe sits in the lobby.

— jackie burrell, Orange County Register, "Lanai Hotels: From luxe to historic," 2 Feb. 2017
DeHoff organized a service where the relics, tucked into a box of koa wood, were blessed by a Buddhist monk and a Hawaiian Christian kahu, or priest.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "More than 75 years after Pearl Harbor, relics return to dead Japanese aviator's family," 3 July 2017
Both KOA Swimwear and Ugg are offering customers deals for the weekend; at Ugg, save 30 percent on unlined styles between May 25-28, and 20 percent off select styles at KOA between May 22-30.

— sam reed, The Hollywood Reporter, "Shop Talk: All the Memorial Day Sample Sales; Cynthia Rowley Pops Up in Culver City," 25 May 2017
Designed by the owner, Ken Murray, to offer city dwellers a bit of a gentle, Hawaiian-themed oasis, his well-stocked store sells twangy little tropical instruments in everything from koa wood to Lucite.

— ilise s. carter, New York Times, "UkeHut in Queens: Where No Ukulele Need Goes Unmet," 23 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of koa

Hawaiian

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First Known Use: 1824

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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