kava

noun

ka·​va ˈkä-və 

1

: an Australasian shrubby pepper (Piper methysticum) from whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made

also : the beverage made from kava

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of the kava used especially as a dietary supplement chiefly to relieve stress and anxiety

Examples of kava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Electronic cigarettes mixed with cannabinoids, alcohol, kratom, kava, mushrooms or tianeptine also cannot be sold under the new law. —Eleanor Dearman updated August 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

Feel Free Classic contains kava root, which is touted for its relaxing effects, and kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia that’s known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. —Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025

Traditionally, the kava root was ground into a paste and added to liquid for consumption as a kava drink. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The kava infused Kava Haven is designed to provide an alternative to traditional spirits. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Tongan & Marquesan, literally, bitter

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kava

• kava kava

Medical Definition

kava

noun

ka·​va ˈkäv-ə 

1

: an Australasian shrubby pepper (Piper methysticum) from whose crushed root an intoxicating beverage is made

also : the beverage

2

: a preparation consisting of the ground dried rhizome and roots of the kava plant that is used as a dietary supplement chiefly to relieve stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness and in folk medicine especially as a diuretic and urogenital antiseptic and that has been linked to cases of severe liver injury