lanai

noun

la·​nai lə-ˈnī How to pronounce lanai (audio)
lä-
plural lanais
Synonyms of lanainext
: a roofed porch : veranda
… a covered porch is called a "lanai" in Hawaii …Sanette Tanaka
… Honolulu landscape architect James C. Hubbard used four L-shaped extensions to broaden an entry lanai.Sunset
… my feelings are just as ambivalent and I sit on the front lanai of my rented bungalow in Palm Springs, California …Douglas Coupland

Examples of lanai in a Sentence

a low-slung Hawaiian beach house with an open-sided lanai to catch the tropical breezes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, the water is just a few steps down from your lanai. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026 The sly First Lady of Television would like to see you out on the lanai All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2026 The lanai — with hurricane-resistant glass — offers panoramic views. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025 Each of the eight rooms has a private lanai from which guests can catch the sunrise or spot dolphins. Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lanai

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian lānai

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lanai was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lanai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanai. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Geographical Definition

Lanai

geographical name

La·​nai lə-ˈnī How to pronounce Lanai (audio)
lä-
variants or Lana'i
island of Hawaii west of Maui and south of Molokai area 141 square miles (367 square kilometers)

More from Merriam-Webster on lanai

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