kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

1

: any of a small genus (Apteryx) of flightless New Zealand birds with rudimentary wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike plumage

2

capitalized : a native or resident of New Zealand

—used as a nickname

3

: kiwifruit

Illustration of kiwi

• kiwi 1

Did you know?

A kiwi is any of three species of chicken-sized, grayish brown flightless birds found in New Zealand. Their Maori name refers to the male's shrill call. Kiwis have vestigial wings hidden within the plumage; nostrils at the tip (rather than the base) of the long flexible bill; soft, hairlike feathers; and stout, muscular legs. Each of the four toes has a large claw. Kiwis live in forests, where they sleep by day and forage for worms, insects and their larvae, and berries at night. They run swiftly and use their claws in defense when cornered.

Examples of kiwi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Following are some of the highlights of the tasting: Marimar Estate 2023 Albarino –from the Don Miguel vineyard, this white wine opens with fresh honeysuckle and lemon-lime notes, then explodes with vibrant kiwi, starfruit and green apple on the palate. —Liz Thach, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

One study found that preschool-aged children who consumed gold kiwi were less likely to develop a cold or the flu.18 15. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024

Their advice ranges from eating certain foods like kiwi pre-slumber, to taking supplements, to the optimal temperature your bedroom should be at snooze time. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024

His team started by cleaning up polluted beaches and planting half a million trees, also partnering with the Department of Conservation to reintroduce the indigenous brown kiwi bird, whose population in the North Island had dipped by 90 percent just 30 years ago. —Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

kiwi

noun

ki·​wi ˈkē-(ˌ)wē 

1

: a flightless New Zealand bird with weak and undeveloped wings, stout legs, a long bill, and grayish brown hairlike feathers

2

: kiwifruit