wigwam

[wig-wom, -wawm]

noun

1. a Native American dwelling, usually of rounded or oval shape, formed of poles overlaid with bark, mats, or skins.

2. the Wigwam. Tammany Hall.

wigwam

/ ˈwɪɡˌwæm /

noun

1. any dwelling of the North American Indians, esp one made of bark, rushes, or skins spread over or enclosed by a set of arched poles lashed together Compare tepee

2. a similar structure for children

Word History and Origins

Origin of wigwam¹

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; from Eastern Abenaki wìkəwαm “house,” from unattested Proto-Algonquian wi·kiwa·ʔmi; wickiup

Word History and Origins

Origin of wigwam¹

from Abnaki and Massachuset wīkwām, literally: their abode

Example Sentences

“There were a lot of buildings in our culture that made simple symbolic references like animals or traditional longhouses and wigwams,” Mr. Cornelius said.

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The course was jointly led by Ojibwe elders, who taught him how to knap flint, tan hides and build wigwams.

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Madison’s preferred location for the national capital was a “wigwam place” suitable for hunting parties and hermits.

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“But they would never have built their wigwam right there on the edge of the beach, because it’s dangerous. It floods, it’s exposed to the winds.”

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This production rightly omits, for instance, the “Wa Tan We” girls of the “local wigwam of Heeawatha” and their “Indian war dance.”

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