Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In the Hawaiian Islands, a dish or dinner of boiled herbs with additions.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An elaborate Hawaiian feast featuring traditional foods and entertainment named for the kalo (taro) tops traditionally served at such events.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an elaborate Hawaiian feast or party (especially one accompanied by traditional foods and entertainment)

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Hawaiian lū‘au, young taro tops, feast (at which taro tops are served).]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Hawaiian lūʻau. Attested 1856 in the Pacific Commercial Advertiser.

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Examples

  • Of course, a luau is about more than just food - there's the entertainment.

    Scenes from the White House: Welcome to the luau 2009

  • The figure enters the building and the several scientists are clad in Hawaiian luau apparel, getting ready for the end of the season party.

    The Movie Spoiler 2009

  • The food was cooked in Polynesian style, by being wrapped up in greens called luau, and baked underground.

    The Hawaiian Archipelago Isabella Lucy 2004

  • The food was cooked in Polynesian style, by being wrapped up in greens called luau, and baked underground.

    The Hawaiian Archipelago 1867

  • The luau is the largest fundraiser event for the Hui-O-Hawaii club, which has more than 300 members.

    The Daily Barometer 2010

  • A luau is a Hawaiian assembly of derivation and friends to enjoy lofty food, company and times.

    Article directories Celibataire Urbaine 2010

  • The luau is the largest fundraiser event for the Hui-O-Hawaii club, which has more than 300 members.

    The Daily Barometer 2010

  • Attending a luau is another way to learn, but all luaus are not equally created.

    The News Tribune Blogs newstips@thenewstribune.com (PATTI NICKELL; McClat 2010

  • "My favorite part of the luau was the show itself and all of the dancing," says Kila.

    The Daily Barometer 2010

  • "We start by sharing our family story since guests always ask how the words 'luau' and 'Smith' came together," said Smith.

    Dawna L. Robertson: Up a Lazy River Dawna L. Robertson 2010

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