Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

tawa

noun
ta·wa | \ˈtäwə, ˈtau̇ə\
plural -s

Definition of tawa 

: a New Zealand evergreen tree (Beilschmiedia tawa) of the family Lauraceae with slender branches and graceful foliage resembling that of the willow and white straight-grained wood used chiefly for rough work (as clothespins)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for tawa

Maori

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about tawa

Dictionary Entries near tawa

Tavgi

tavistockite

taw

tawa

Tawasa

tawdry

tawdry lace

Statistics for tawa

Look-up Popularity

Comments on tawa

What made you want to look up tawa? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tergiversation

evasion of direct action or statement

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games