tipi
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Explanation
The traditional tent-like dwelling of the Plains Indians is called a tipi. Modern tipis are often made of canvas, with flaps at the top allowing smoke to escape. Tipis (also spelled teepee) were historically used by indigenous Americans who lived a nomadic lifestyle, since these dwellings could be easily taken down, carried to a new place, and reassembled. Traditionally, tipis were made with long wooden poles covered by animal skins. A tipi would keep families dry in the rain, cool in hot weather, and warm in the winter with the help of a fire. Tipi comes from the Lakota thípi, "dwelling."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many people gathered at the Tipi Village, The Stone Circle and at the base of the Glastonbury sign to watch the spectacle.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2025
And in the Tipi field, one reveller swore blind that Metallica's place at the top of the bill on Saturday was an impressive bluff - with funk-rock superstar Prince destined to take their place.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2014
But we find ourselves holding hands in a circle in the Tipi field to welcome and bless the festival.
From The Guardian • Jul. 1, 2013
It featured Dan Brand, a Philadelphia socialite during Revolutionary War times who ends up being trained by Native Americans, gains a sidekick named Tipi and runs around the frontier in a breechclout.
From Seattle Times • May 31, 2011
The Yakima Council of Tipi Order is planning for a big pow-wow and shoot.
From The Discards by McWhorter, Lucullus Virgil
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
