lanai

noun

la·​nai lə-ˈnī How to pronounce lanai (audio)
lä-
plural lanais
: 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

Examples of lanai in a Sentence

a low-slung Hawaiian beach house with an open-sided lanai to catch the tropical breezes
Recent Examples on the Web The still-classic spaces feature rich woods (including beautiful live-edge dining room tables and shuttered wood doors that open to a spacious, furnished lanai), slate floors, local artwork that pays homage to Hawaiian culture and an earthy palette of cream and beige. Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2022 The best place for a lanai is off the kitchen or indoor living room, if possible. Kelly Dawson, House Beautiful, 6 July 2023 Tripod the bear had a party of one after entering the family's home through their lanai A bear in Florida was on a mission to have a good time this past Labor Day weekend. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023 Courtesy image Outside are landscaped lawns, a patio with a pool, a lanai, and a dockside firepit. The Week Staff, The Week, 16 Apr. 2023 The historic plantation style is evident throughout the property, particularly in The Clubhouse with its low wide roof, exposed rafters, vertical plank walls, and expansive covered lanai — complete with ceiling fans and rocking chairs. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2021 Jana and Bradley Hocevar were watching a movie at their home at about 9 p.m. on June 15 when Jana Hocevar heard noise coming from their lanai, Gualtieri said at a news conference Monday morning. Emma Uber Tampa Bay Times (tns), al, 28 June 2023 As for how to design and decorate a lanai, stick to bright shades that complement the outdoors. Kelly Dawson, House Beautiful, 6 July 2023 To maximize the best of indoor/outdoor living, massive pocket doors blend an open-concept living area and kitchen with a covered lanai. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lanai.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian lānai

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lanai was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near lanai

Cite this Entry

“Lanai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanai. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Geographical Definition

Lanai

geographical name

La·​nai lə-ˈnī How to pronounce Lanai (audio)
lä-
variants or Lana'i
island of Hawaii west of Maui and south of Molokai area 141 square miles (367 square kilometers)

More from Merriam-Webster on lanai

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