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.
Sacramento police reported no major security issues at Aftershock, with only a few misdemeanor reports, two citations or arrests and one DUI arrest over the weekend. — Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Assembly Bill 1546 strengthens criminal penalties for repeat DUI offenders. — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 One measure makes a third DUI conviction within 10 years eligible for felony charges; a fifth conviction would be a felony carrying up to three years in jail. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The judge also sentenced him to a three-year sentence on a separate DUI count, which will be served concurrently with the eight-year term. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“DUI.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DUI. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Legal Definition

DUI

abbreviation
driving under the influence

More from Merriam-Webster on DUI

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