teepee

or te·pee, ti·pi

[ tee-pee ]

noun

1. a tent of the American Indians, made usually from animal skins laid on a conical frame of long poles and having an opening at the top for ventilation and a flap door.

teepee

/ ˈtiːpiː /

noun

1. See tepee
   a variant spelling of tepee

Word History and Origins

Origin of teepee¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1735–45; from Dakota tʰípi, equivalent to tʰí- “to dwell” + -pi plural indefinite abstract noun suffix

Example Sentences

According to a website of the tribe’s history, she was afraid the teepee would go up in flames and told him to lay very still.

From Washington Post

He eventually found his grandmother hiding in a teepee packed with people, according to Mae Parry’s writings.

From Washington Post

Start collecting fuel before it gets too dark, and build a teepee fire.

From Popular-Science

Having finished his smoke, he emptied the ashes out of the bowl of the pipe and laid it against the teepee-pole at his back.

From Project Gutenberg

The little fires were sportively burning outside of each teepee, where the morning meal had been prepared.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus laughingly exclaimed old Hohay as he approached the teepee of Sheyaka, a renowned hunter of the Sioux.

From Project Gutenberg

For a time a teepee where no one was sick could scarcely be found, and it was a rare day when there was no funeral.

From Project Gutenberg

A little pale smoke was rising over the thicket, and he also saw a conical skin teepee, while on the shore were three bullboats.

From Project Gutenberg