puka

1 of 3

noun (1)

pu·​ka
ˈpükə
plural -s
1
: a rare New Zealand tree (Meryta sinclairii) of the family Araliaceae with large resinous leaves and dioecious flowers in panicles
2
: either of two New Zealand trees of the genus Griselinia that are sometimes epiphytic:
a
: a tree (G. lucida) with long thick shining leaves and green or yellow flowers in axillary panicles
b
: kapuka

puka

2 of 3

noun (2)

"
plural -s
Hawaii
: hole, tunnel
if … I ever get the giant African snails out of their favorite pukas, I shall really enjoy the gardening—Honolulu Star-Bulletin

puka

3 of 3

noun (3)

pu·​ka
ˈpükə
plural -s
: a small usually perforated wave- and beach-polished shell fragment formed from the spire of a cone (genus Conus), found along beaches of Pacific Islands, and used especially to make necklaces

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Maori

Noun (2)

Hawaiian

Noun (3)

puka shell, from Hawaiian puka hole + English shell

First Known Use

Noun (3)

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puka was in 1975

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Browse Nearby Words

Pujunan
puka
Pukapuka
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puka.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puka. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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