kava
Americannoun
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a Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, the aromatic roots of which are used to make an intoxicating beverage.
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the beverage made from these roots.
noun
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a Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum: family Piperaceae
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a drink prepared from the aromatic roots of this shrub
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of kava
1810–20; < Polynesian (first recorded from Tonga Islands)
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.
Photos showed Albanese sipping Fiji's traditional kava drink at a welcome ceremony before the alliance was signed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026
In 1915, Hollmann was the acting assistant surgeon at Hawaii’s Leprosy Investigation Station when he was given a copy of Ball’s master’s thesis, a 44-page analysis of the kava plant’s chemical properties.
From New York Times ● Apr. 8, 2023
In my opinion, that’s still the ultimate kava cocktail: sweet and tangy and creamy all at once, and appropriately island-themed.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 28, 2021
“In areas with tree cover, the kava was saved since the trees created natural windbreaks, branches that fell formed a protective blanket. But where there were no trees the crops were completely uprooted,” he said.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 19, 2020
For the offering of kava to the household god, compare id. p.
From The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead Vol. II by Sir James George Frazer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
