: a wreath or necklace usually of flowers or leaves

lei

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural of leu

the basic monetary unit of Moldova and Romania see Money Table

Examples of lei in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The pair donned similar floral print outfits with Teigen completing her look with a lei while Luna wore a headpiece made from a palm frond. Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 11 Apr. 2022 At this Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award-winner, bliss starts at check-in when your crew is welcomed with a lei and a beverage. Karen Cicero, Good Housekeeping, 29 June 2023 The lei is her entry for the 95th Annual Lei Day Celebration, which happens on Lei Day, Monday, in Honolulu. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 1 May 2023 The tradition of the lei dates back to the beginning of Hawaiian culture when it was brought over by the Polynesians who migrated to the Hawaiian Islands. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 1 May 2023 That’s what led to a photo of a smiling cop and a beaming kid in red commencement robe and purple lei being posted on the Escondido police Facebook page. Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2023 When someone gives you the gift of a lei in Hawaii, it's most likely strung with fragrant frangipani flowers. Jessica Dukes, House Beautiful, 5 June 2023 There’s a lei near the nose of the plane showing the official flowers. Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2023 Or a hooded golden lamé crepe dress with amethysts falling like a lei at the chest. Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lei.' 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

Noun (1)

Hawaiian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lei was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near lei

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

lei

noun
ˈlā,
ˈla-ˌē
: a wreath or necklace usually of flowers
Etymology

Noun

Hawaiian

More from Merriam-Webster on lei

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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