lei

noun \ ˈlā , ˈlā-ˌē \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Definition of lei

: a wreath or necklace usually of flowers or leaves

See lei defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of lei from the Web

After coming ashore, Burgess was captured in photos sporting a pink lei and celebrating with onlookers.

— elizabeth zwirz, Fox News, "Florida woman paddleboards from Cuba to Key West," 27 June 2018
But a lei can also be simply a tribute to the islands’ beauty, improvised from flowers foraged while wandering back roads.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "The Power of Wearing Flowers," 16 Feb. 2018
On Aloha Nights every Saturday in June and every other Saturday in July and August, the garden is staging a cultural complement of activities, including lei making, hula lessons and ukulele performances.

— New York Times, "24 Art Exhibitions to View in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 21 June 2018
The volunteers toiled four days, weaving the lei and inscribing seashells with the names of those killed at Pulse.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orange County History Center's Pulse exhibit stirs memories, hearts and tears," 7 June 2018
However, Leonard Barascu, heads of the Sanitas health union, said that at the same time some employees lost up to 1,100 lei ($290) of their net monthly pay.

— Washington Post, "Thousands of Romanian health workers protest salary cuts," 26 Apr. 2018
However, Leonard Barascu, heads of the Sanitas health union, said some employees lost up to 1,100 lei ($290) of their net monthly pay.

— Fox News, "Thousands of Romanian health workers protest salary cuts," 26 Apr. 2018
The first 100 customers at the beach bar will receive a free Hawaiian lei.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "St. Paul Fish Company is setting up a one-day outdoor beach bar — complete with a beach," 19 Apr. 2018
The Aloha Nights, which run during the exhibition, celebrate Hawaii’s cultural traditions and include live music, performances of hula and chant, and artisan demonstrations of lei and poi making.

— kari bodnarchuk, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 24 Apr. 2018

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