hookah

American  

[hook-uh] / ˈhʊk ə /

Or hooka

noun

1. a tobacco pipe of Near Eastern origin with a long, flexible tube by which the smoke is drawn through a jar of water and thus cooled.

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hookah British  

/ ˈhʊkə /

noun

1. Also called: hubble-bubble.   kalian.   narghile.   water pipe.  an oriental pipe for smoking marijuana, tobacco, etc, consisting of one or more long flexible stems connected to a container of water or other liquid through which smoke is drawn and cooled

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Etymology

Origin of hookah

First recorded in 1755–65, hookah is from the Arabic word ḥuqqah box, vase, pipe for smoking

Example Sentences

From coastal Jableh, her paternal family’s home, she recalls the aromas of “flavored hookah smoke, nuts toasting on carts, and boiled sweet corn.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

“I like Americans, they are so beautiful,” said Aman Gautam, a 23-year-old hookah parlor owner who patiently queued.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Local media said it happened as patrons queued to enter a hookah and cigar lounge.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2024

“Trust in the police is below zero here,” said Sofiane, 19, who was smoking a hookah with several friends in an alleyway.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2023

I glance at the end of the booth and see hookah sets, golden swords, and blown-up black-and-white harem pictures from some previous era propped against, yes, camel bridles.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Related Words

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