powwow

[ pou-wou ]

/ ˈpaʊˌwaʊ /

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noun

a large gathering organized by North American Indians for socializing, dancing, singing, and celebrating their culture.

a council or conference of or with North American Indians.

(historically, among North American Indians) a ceremony accompanied by spiritual, religious, and ritual practices, along with dancing, performed for the cure of disease, success in a hunt, etc.

(among North American Indians) a priest or shaman.

Informal. any conference or meeting.

verb (used without object)

to hold a powwow.

Informal. to confer.

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Origin of powwow

First recorded in 1615–25, Americanism; from Narragansett (English spelling) powwaw “shaman, healer” (and the identical word in Massachusett ), from unattested Proto-Algonquian pawe·wa “he dreams” (used as a derived agent noun meaning “he who dreams”, i.e., one who derives his power from visions)

Words nearby powwow

power yoga, powfagged, Powhatan, Powhatan Confederacy, powhiri, powwow, Powys, pox, Poxviridae, poxvirus, poxy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use powwow in a sentence

Lockdowns and distancing measures are being eased and that means rodeos, cattle drives and powwows are bouncing back.
Herd Community: Modern-Day Ranching|Sean Culligan|July 2, 2021|Ozy
The closed-door powwow promises to be an electrifying exercise in spleen venting, thrust upon them by their Senate brethren.
House Republicans Brace for Crazy-Making Intraparty Immigration Fight|Michelle Cottle|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They already are getting their slides together for the next big powwow.
TED Conferences Drag Down Intellectuals, Glorify Smart-Style People|Kent Sepkowitz|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the pair recently had a big baseball powwow, with active and retired players like Brian Wilson and Eddie Murray.
Charlie Sheen's Crazy New BFF|Randall Lane|March 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST

So we organized and pressured Jeffrey Zucker, CEO of NBC Universal, for a powwow.
The Year in Sexism|Amy Siskind|December 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
That canoe coming forward there, with the white flag up, Filhiol insisted, means they want to powwow.
Cursed|George Allan England
Without stopping to call a powwow they summoned all hands to arms.
Strange Stories of the Great River|Abbie Johnston Grosvenor
Far as I remember, English enticed all neighbouring Scots to powwow of some sort.
The Heather-Moon|C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson
"I'll attend to him, while you powwow with Ireton," said Anthony, ready for the unexpected situation.
It Happened in Egypt|C. N. Williamson
I've listened to all this powwow, and I gather that you got drunk to the last man, and he gathered you in.
The Wreck of the Titan|Morgan Robertson

British Dictionary definitions for powwow

powwow

/ (ˈpaʊˌwaʊ) /

noun

a talk, conference, or meeting

a magical ceremony of certain North American Indians, usually accompanied by feasting and dancing

(among certain North American Indians) a medicine man

a meeting of or negotiation with North American Indians

verb

(intr) to hold a powwow

Word Origin for powwow

C17: from Algonquian; related to Natick pauwau one who practises magic, Narraganset powwaw

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

powwow

Origin of powwow

Words nearby powwow

Words related to powwow

How to use powwow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for powwow

Word Origin for powwow