tipi
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Explanation
The traditional tent-like dwelling of the Plains Indians is called a tipi. Modern tipis are often made of canvas, with flaps at the top allowing smoke to escape. Tipis (also spelled teepee) were historically used by indigenous Americans who lived a nomadic lifestyle, since these dwellings could be easily taken down, carried to a new place, and reassembled. Traditionally, tipis were made with long wooden poles covered by animal skins. A tipi would keep families dry in the rain, cool in hot weather, and warm in the winter with the help of a fire. Tipi comes from the Lakota thípi, "dwelling."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A few minutes later he stops to show off a series of tipi rings — artifacts of Indigenous life that he’s promised local tribes he’ll protect.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024
In May, Indian protesters erected a tipi on the pathway of a pipe being built from a nearby water source to the mine.
From Washington Times • Sep. 6, 2023
"You take the meat, you salt it, and then you hang it outside in the tipi and smoke it," says Henry.
From Salon • Aug. 28, 2022
A large tipi in front of the secondary school demonstrates how educators are promoting pride in the once-suppressed Indigenous culture.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2022
Clarence taught them how to put up a tipi, and that’s where they slept.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
