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

“I felt that if I didn’t help, I would have to resign as pastor,” Fife said recently in Southside’s worship hall, which was modeled after an indigenous ceremonial structure known as a kiva.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2021

At Aztec Ruins, go semi-deep inside the only reconstructed kiva in the Southwest.

From Washington Post • May 1, 2018

Only about 25 percent of the great kiva on her property was actually excavated.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2015

After checking in at the Taos Inn, where there was a kiva fireplace in our room and a legendary margarita list in the lobby’s Adobe Bar, Tim and I drove north.

From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2014

At the center of the kiva, old man Ku’oosh was poking kindling into the potbellied stove.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko