howdah

American  

[hou-duh] / ˈhaʊ də /

Or houdah

noun

1. (in the East Indies) a seat or platform for one or more persons, commonly with a railing and a canopy, placed on the back of an elephant.

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howdah British  

/ ˈhaʊdə /

noun

1. a seat for riding on an elephant's back, esp one with a canopy

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Etymology

Origin of howdah

1765–75; < Hindi haudah < Arabic hawdaj

Example Sentences

Some continue up the side stairs to Lucy’s ornate howdah, which is perched atop the 65-foot-tall elephant and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic City skyline.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2020

Soon he was auctioning off land from the howdah perched atop Lucy, and the “world’s largest elephant” would go on to be visited by the likes of President Woodrow Wilson.

From Slate • Aug. 11, 2015

Britain's aristocratic Earl of Scarbrough and one of Red China's Vice Premiers, Ulanfu, who shared a howdah, smiled wanly at the cheering crowds as their huge beast heaved and rolled along the line of march.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is frequently seen dressed in fantastic gaud, seated in a brilliant howdah atop a huge elephant, with his sceptre in one hand, and a Rolleiflex camera in the other.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the gate the king climbs from the howdah into a midwall opening and ascends to the barbican.

From Voices; Birth-Marks; The Man and the Elephant by Holt, Mathew Joseph