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.

See Examples For:

dewan

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

At the same time I acquired the friendship and esteem of some of the most considerable persons of his Court, particularly Roy Dullub, the dewan already mentioned, and the famous Meer Jaffier.

From Athelstane Ford by Allen Upward

The Raja and the dewan did not like to disappoint their sons so they bought the horses, to the great delight of the boys, who used to ride them every day.

From Folklore of the Santal Parganas by Cecil Henry Bompas

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