puka

American

[poo-kuh] / ˈpu kə /

noun

a small white shell found on Pacific, especially Hawaiian, beaches and strung in clusters to make necklaces.

puka British

/ ˈpuːkɑː /

noun

another name for broadleaf

"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

Etymology

Origin of puka

First recorded in 1970–75; of uncertain origin

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.

Beberlyn Aveno, a 56-year-old Filipino immigrant, was back selling puka shell necklaces at her kiosk at the Whalers Village shopping mall in Kaanapali recently.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

Howard Smith, who served in Hawaii before he retired from the Army, came bearing traditional puka shell necklaces to give to Mr. Bishop and his wife.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2023

The gold crown was decorated with puka shells and beads, every inch of the garment stoned and sparkling.

From Slate • May 21, 2021

The puka shell necklace would have made a strong statement with the green jacket.

From Golf Digest • Mar. 22, 2020

A pau ke kamailio ana a na'lii no keia mau mea, a me ka walea ana e like me ka mea mau o ka puka malihini ana.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023