kenaf

noun

ke·​naf kə-ˈnaf How to pronounce kenaf (audio)
: an African hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus) widely cultivated for its fiber
also : the fiber used especially for making paper and cordage

Examples of kenaf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The panel is made of mushroom, hemp and kenaf fibers, not mushroom fiber and coconut shells. New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023 Flexform Kafus Bio-Composites Elkhart, Indiana Flexform combines polypropylene with the rugged natural fibers of hemp and kenaf – a relative of the cotton plant – to create a lightweight, high-strength nonwoven moldable material. David Pescovitz, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2001

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kenaf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Persian

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kenaf was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near kenaf

Cite this Entry

“Kenaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kenaf. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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