poi

[poi, poh-ee]

noun

a Hawaiian dish made of the root of the taro baked, pounded, moistened, and fermented.

Origin of poi

Borrowed into English from Hawaiian around 1815–25

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for poi

Contemporary Examples of poi

He is working to lift the POI restrictions placed on his client.
Bradley Manning's Life Behind Bars
Denver Nicks
December 17, 2010

Historical Examples of poi

For he said "Kai" must be "poi," or food must be swung to the spot.
An Old New Zealander
T. Lindsay Buick
We sat down to breakfast,—poi and salt, and not enough of that.
Memoirs of John R. Young
John Young
For commissary, he had a calabash of poi and a string of red peppers.
Memoirs of John R. Young
John Young
Poi, paakia, poverty and shame Were all endured for the blessed Savior's name.
Memoirs of John R. Young
John Young
There must be a large one to hold the "poi," and a smaller one for drinking-water.
Our Little Hawaiian Cousin
Mary Hazelton Wade

British Dictionary definitions for poi

poi

noun

a Hawaiian dish made of the root of the taro baked, pounded to a paste, and fermented

Word Origin for poi

C19: from Hawaiian

poi

noun

NZ a ball of woven flax swung rhythmically in poi dances

Word Origin for poi

Māori

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for poi

1823, from Hawaiian poi "food made from taro root."