1 lei | Definition of lei

lei

noun (1)
\ ˈlā How to pronounce lei (audio) , ˈlā-ˌē How to pronounce lei (audio) \

Definition of lei

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a wreath or necklace usually of flowers or leaves

lei

noun (2)
\ ˈlā How to pronounce lei (audio) \

Definition of lei (Entry 2 of 2)

plural of leu

the basic monetary unit of Moldova and Romania — see Money Table

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for lei

Synonyms: Noun (1)

choker, collar, dog collar, necklace

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of lei in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Pasadena Take an evening yoga class, listen to roaming acoustic musicians and craft a paper lei at the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair at Central Park. Sara Cagle, Los Angeles Times, "Celebrating heritage, surfing and anime at weekend events near L.A.," 31 July 2019 Paris wore his black graduation cap and gown while also wearing a yellow flower lei. Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Pierce Brosnan Is a 'Very Proud Dad' at Son Paris' High School Graduation with Their Family," 12 June 2019 Sheer Joy’ The bride wore a white dress while holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling at her husband, who had a lei on top of his white dress shirt and tan pants. Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "The Challenge's Abram Boise Is Married to Rachel Missie: 'An Epic Day'," 8 July 2019 Konia Freitas says with a warm smile, her neck framed by a pink and red lei. Noelle Swan, The Christian Science Monitor, "Whose independence? Why some Native Hawaiians don’t celebrate on July 4.," 2 July 2019 Rainbow flags adorned apartment towers, townhouses, storefronts, scaffolding and people: on their T-shirts, dresses, lei-like necklaces, socks and shoes. James Barron, New York Times, "Pride Parade: 50 Years After Stonewall, a Joyous and Resolute Celebration," 30 June 2019 Her Spring 2019 show opened and closed with swimsuits: first, a stripy crochet maillot layered under bike shorts and a glass-and-leather belt, and last, a teeny-tiny, zebra-striped bikini accessorized with a bougainvillea lei. Emily Farra, Vogue, "Considering the Real-Life Applications of Spring 2019’s Haute Swimwear," 25 Oct. 2018 The tradition is to return the lei to the earth when you’re done with it. Annemarie Conte, Woman's Day, "I Took My Daughter to Hawaii to Teach Her How to Be a Better Traveler," 1 Aug. 2018 The service is a major highlight, with ginger-mint lemonade, a cold towel, and a lei offered at check-in. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Resorts in Hawaii: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lei.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of lei

Noun (1)

1843, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lei

Noun (1)

Hawaiian

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on lei

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lei

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lei

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lei