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• pali
  pali

  noun

  (in Hawaii) a steep slope or cliff.
• Pali
  Pali

  noun

  the Prakrit language of the Buddhist scriptures.

pali

¹ American  

[pah-lee] / ˈpɑ li /

noun

1. (in Hawaii) a steep slope or cliff.

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Pali ² American  

[pah-lee] / ˈpɑ li /

noun

1. the Prakrit language of the Buddhist scriptures.

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Pali British  

/ ˈpɑːlɪ /

noun

1. an ancient language of India derived from Sanskrit; the language of the Buddhist scriptures

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Etymology

Origin of pali¹

From Hawaiian

Origin of Pali²

1685–95; short for Sanskrit pāli-bhāsa language of the canonical texts, equivalent to pāli line, row, canon + bhāsa language

Example Sentences

To reopen relatively quickly — before reconstruction was completed — Pali High made strategic use of the campus’ expansive grounds — essentially converting green areas, notably the baseball field, into land for temporary buildings.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Parents decked out in the blue and white colors of the Pali High Dolphins lined the entrance and cheered on their teenagers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Likely composed by the earliest Buddhist nuns in a variety of Indian languages between 600 and 300 B.C., the verses were later anthologized in Pali, the scriptural language of Theravada Buddhism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

But there was no question Max would remain at Pali — and play football.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025

It was funny to think of Henry, with his little round glasses and his books in Pali, breaking Spike Romney’s collarbone.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt