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)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kiva

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

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

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

From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2013

The whitewash was only partially completed, and the kiva murals were veiled under the white clay wash, not yet repainted for the winter ceremonies.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

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