teepee

American  

[tee-pee] / ˈti pi /

Or tepee,

noun

1. a tent of the American Indians, made usually from animal skins laid on a conical frame of long poles and having an opening at the top for ventilation and a flap door.

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teepee British  

/ ˈtiːpiː /

noun

1. a variant spelling of tepee

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Etymology

Origin of teepee

An Americanism first recorded in 1735–45; from Dakota tʰípi, equivalent to tʰí- “to dwell” + -pi plural indefinite abstract noun suffix

Compare meaning

How does teepee compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• wigwam vs. teepee

Example Sentences

The lavvu, a traditional Sámi structure that resembles a teepee or a tent, is insulated with reindeer skins, and in the center, on a floor of twigs, a hearth.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

From teepee style to canopied and full-on camping quality, there’s a slew to choose from.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2021

They had a treehouse, a teepee, an army tent, a generator and a kitchen sink plumbed into a spring, bringing clean running water straight up through the mud.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2020

Pursuing the animals on horseback, they ate fresh or dried buffalo meat and used the hides for clothing and for their distinctive portable dwelling, the teepee.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

When we got there, Grandma was out in the yard, standing over a. thing made out of lumber in the shape of a teepee.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck