DUI

abbreviation or noun

ˌdē-(ˌ)yü-ˈī How to pronounce DUI (audio)
plural DUIs
1
US : the act or crime of driving a vehicle while affected by alcohol or drugs
was arrested for DUI
a DUI case
2
US : an arrest or conviction for driving under the influence
… the reason he was in prison is that a few DUIs caught up with him …—Barbara Ehrenreich
3
US : a person who is arrested for or convicted of driving under the influence
a convicted DUI

Examples of DUI 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.
That arrest came roughly one-and-a-half-years removed from Cleveland being arrested for DUI. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Their condition was not immediately known, but police later said that they were arrested for DUI and booked after they were released from the hospital. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The Sacramento Police Department will hold a DUI checkpoint Friday night to identify drivers suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors allege Reyes-Vargas has six prior convictions for bad or dangerous driving, including a DUI conviction, evading police, and engaging in a speed contest. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for DUI

Word History

Etymology

driving under the influence

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of DUI was in 1969

Rhymes for DUI

See All Rhymes for DUI

Browse Nearby Words

duhat
DUI
duiker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“DUI.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DUI. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

DUI

abbreviation
driving under the influence

More from Merriam-Webster on DUI

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about DUI

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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