lanai

la·nai | \ lə-ˈnī

How to pronounce lanai (audio)

, lä- \

plural lanais

Definition of lanai

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a roofed porch : veranda … a covered porch is called a "lanai" in Hawaii …— Sanette Tanaka … Honolulu landscape architect James C. Hubbard used four L-shaped extensions to broaden an entry lanai. — Sunset … my feelings are just as ambivalent and I sit on the front lanai of my rented bungalow in Palm Springs, California …— Douglas Coupland

Lanai

geographical name

La·nai | \ lə-ˈnī

How to pronounce Lanai (audio)

, lä- \

variants: or Lana'i

Definition of Lanai (Entry 2 of 2)

island of Hawaii west of Maui and south of Molokai area 141 square miles (367 square kilometers)

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about lanai

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of lanai in a Sentence

Noun a low-slung Hawaiian beach house with an open-sided lanai to catch the tropical breezes

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Smith’s plan transformed it into a ground-level, open-sided lanai that faces the pool. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "Helotes home gets resortlike backyard with year-long renovation adding two levels of outdoor deck and patio," 17 Dec. 2020 Jim Haas, who owns a house down the shore near Chun’s Reef, received permission from the state in 2018 to put in a burrito after large surf destroyed his stone and mortar staircase and pulled the lanai off his property. — Sophie Cocke, ProPublica, "How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches," 5 Dec. 2020 Over the course of a year, that meant using space on the lanai before moving into half of our garage, then finally turfing the entire garage and purchasing more equipment. — Dana Santas, CNN, "How to set up a home gym space that works for you," 28 Nov. 2020 Christine poured a glass of wine and sat on the lanai to read it. — Karina Bland, The Arizona Republic, "Once upon a time, they fell in love. The happily ever after took another 50 years," 27 Nov. 2020 The oversize principal bedroom features a vaulted ceiling, built-ins, and full bath, and opens to a private lanai overlooking waters frequented by turtles, whales, and other sea life. — TheWeek, "6 homes with beautiful bedrooms," 14 Nov. 2020 The 65,000-seat dome stadium, with the sliding lanai doors, translucent roof and modern amenities is a far cry from the team's old home at the Oakland Coliseum. — Josh Dubow, Star Tribune, "Raiders eager to show off new digs in Vegas debut vs. Saints," 20 Sep. 2020 The 65,000-seat dome stadium, with the sliding lanai doors, translucent roof and modern amenities is a far cry from the team’s old home at the Oakland Coliseum. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Raiders eager to show off new digs in Vegas debut vs. Saints," 20 Sep. 2020 It’s one of six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Pocket doors open outside, where wood ceilings top a spacious lanai with a fireplace and grill. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, "Lou Holtz’s Orlando mansion, once struck by lightning, hits the market," 10 Sep. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about lanai

Dictionary Entries near lanai

Statistics for lanai

Last Updated

30 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Lanai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanai. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.

WORD OF THE DAY

vulcanize

Listen to the pronunciation of vulcanize

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Anagram puzzles meet word search.