dewan

American

[dih-wahn, -wawn] / dɪˈwɑn, -ˈwɔn /

Or diwan

noun

any of certain officials in India, such as a financial minister or prime minister of an Indian state.

dewan British

/ dɪˈwɑːn /

noun

(formerly in India) the chief minister or finance minister of a state ruled by an Indian prince

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dewan

First recorded in 1680–90; from Hindi: “minister (of state)” from Persian dēvan “register”; see divan ¹

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.

The dewan considers his main task to be "the Sikkimization" of Sikkim�the attempt to preserve Sikkim's culture and identity from too much Tibetan or Chinese influence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ironically, it is the dewan sent in from India who leads the battle against "evil outside influences."

From Time Magazine Archive

Nehru sent in troops and a dewan, or political officer.

From Time Magazine Archive

In came Indian troops, and a dewan or Prime Minister furnished by India.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then the Raja laughed and seemed very pleased and praised the dewan for having brought him such a clever man, and gave the dewan a rich reward.

From Folklore of the Santal Parganas by Bompas, Cecil Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023