kiva

American  

[kee-vuh] / ˈki və /

noun

1. a large chamber, often wholly or partly underground, in a Pueblo Indian village, used for religious ceremonies and other purposes.

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kiva British  

/ ˈkiːvə /

noun

1. a large underground or partly underground room in a Pueblo Indian village, used chiefly for religious ceremonies

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Etymology

Origin of kiva

1870–75, < Hopi kíva ( ki- house + unidentified element)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kiva

It’s an art space, but it also felt, to me, like a holy one, reminiscent of a kiva.

From New York Times ● Aug. 17, 2017

In one, a vandal used a rock saw to remove a petroglyph; in one this year someone dug up a pristine ceremonial chamber, or kiva, that had never been professionally excavated.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 5, 2016

A great kiva on Dillard’s property offers an interesting contrast to the restored village in Archie’s yard.

From Slate ● Jun. 12, 2015

The illustrations depict New Mexico-style furnishings, Indian pottery, kiva fireplaces, vigas and retablos.

From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2013

They also monitored the apparent motion of the Moon: the twenty- eight higher niches in the kiva may represent the number of days for the Moon to return to the same position among the constellations.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan