puka

American

[poo-kuh] / ˈpu kə /

noun

a small white shell found on Pacific, especially Hawaiian, beaches and strung in clusters to make necklaces.

puka British

/ ˈpuːkɑː /

noun

another name for broadleaf

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of puka

First recorded in 1970–75; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Beberlyn Aveno, a 56-year-old Filipino immigrant, was back selling puka shell necklaces at her kiosk at the Whalers Village shopping mall in Kaanapali recently.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

Howard Smith, who served in Hawaii before he retired from the Army, came bearing traditional puka shell necklaces to give to Mr. Bishop and his wife.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2023

The gold crown was decorated with puka shells and beads, every inch of the garment stoned and sparkling.

From Slate • May 21, 2021

The puka shell necklace would have made a strong statement with the green jacket.

From Golf Digest • Mar. 22, 2020

Ka puka a Mawi, ke, ke! 15Ka lepe, ka lepe, la!

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023