plural koi
: a carp (Cyprinus carpio) bred especially in Japan for large size and a variety of colors and often stocked in ornamental ponds

Examples of koi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Photo : Tyler Hogan A waterfall-fed pond is home to more than 60 koi. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2025 Their popularity exploded after the Tokyo Taishō Exhibition in 1914, where breeders from Niigata showcased their vibrant koi, captivating the public and elevating the fish to symbols of prestige and beauty across Japan and eventually Asia. Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The nation’s top koi aficionados will bring their most spectacular fish — up to 3 feet long — to South San Jose to compete this weekend, April 5-6, in the ZNA NorCal National Koi Show. Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 Let yourself be carried away by the flowers, the butterflies, the parakeets, the huge koi in the pond with a waterfall, and even the horses, because Patch of Heaven Sanctuary has a magnificent stable. Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for koi

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of koi was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Koi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koi. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

koi

noun
: a carp that has been bred to be of various bright colors and is often stocked in ornamental ponds

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