hongi
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of hongi
Borrowed into English from Maori around 1840–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A Māori tribe in New Zealand’s capital city has banned the traditional hongi at gatherings this week as more cases of coronavirus emerge.
From The Guardian • Mar. 4, 2020
The deputy director general of Māori Health, John Whaanga, said similar concerns were raised about hongi during the Sars outbreak and his office had issued no directives then either.
From The Guardian • Mar. 4, 2020
Meanwhile in London, Ms Markle and the prince were welcomed with a traditional Maori greeting called a hongi - the pressing of noses and the sharing of one another's breath.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2018
He pressed noses with Maori leaders in a traditional greeting called a "hongi" and met with military representatives.
From US News • May 9, 2015
Kokutai no hongi: cardinal principles of the national entity of Japan.
From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1977 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
