whanau

British

/ ˈfɑːnaʊ /

noun

(in Māori societies) a family, esp an extended family

"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 whanau

Māori

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.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau said she looked forward to sitting down with them and the council to discuss what their vision was for the land's future use.

From BBC

However, Ms Whanau added she was sorry to see that an increase in low-cost housing, which was part of the development, would now be lost.

From BBC

‘When you go out to the island, you know there’s risk,” says Sharon Honatana, another of Maangi’s extended whanau.

From The Guardian

Kumar founded the Melbourne Tautoko Whanau, a pantry that offers food supplied by OzHarvest.

From The Guardian

Many Maoris claim to join as much for whanau, or family, as for money, power or thrills.

From Economist

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