chai

¹ American  

[she] / ʃɛ /

noun

French.

plural

chais

1. a shed or other aboveground building where a winemaker stores wine in casks.

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chai ² American  

[chahy] / tʃaɪ /

Sometimes masala chai

noun

1. a drink of tea made with cardamom and various other spices, milk, and a sweetener.

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adjective

1. relating to, reminiscent of, or flavored with a mixture of tea, cardamom, and other spices.

chai British  

/ tʃaɪ /

noun

1. tea, esp as made in India with added spices

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Etymology

Origin of chai

First recorded in 1970–75; from Turkish çay and Hindi, Persian, Russian, Urdu chay “tea,” ultimately from Chinese chá; tea ( def. )

Example Sentences

The gas station with the best sweet karak chai.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Even masala chai would lose its signature, sultry kick.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2026

At regular intervals, he poured himself a cup of steaming hot chai from his thermos.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

“There’s history like that all around in a building like this,” said Hahn, Starbucks chai latte in hand, as we walked through the doors.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2025

“I think I’ll try the cinnamon-spice chai latte,” she said, giving me a stern look that said, I will not be ashamed of my beverage selection.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman