wigwam

American  

[wig-wom, -wawm] / ˈwɪg wɒm, -wɔm /

noun

1. a Native American dwelling, usually of rounded or oval shape, formed of poles overlaid with bark, mats, or skins.

2. the Wigwam. Tammany Hall.

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wigwam British  

/ ˈwɪɡˌwæm /

noun

1. any dwelling of the North American Indians, esp one made of bark, rushes, or skins spread over or enclosed by a set of arched poles lashed together Compare tepee

2. a similar structure for children

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Etymology

Origin of wigwam

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; from Eastern Abenaki wìkəwαm “house,” from unattested Proto-Algonquian wi·kiwa·ʔmi; wickiup

Compare meaning

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

• wigwam vs. teepee

Example Sentences

“There were a lot of buildings in our culture that made simple symbolic references like animals or traditional longhouses and wigwams,” Mr. Cornelius said.

From New York Times

The course was jointly led by Ojibwe elders, who taught him how to knap flint, tan hides and build wigwams.

From New York Times

Madison’s preferred location for the national capital was a “wigwam place” suitable for hunting parties and hermits.

From Literature

“But they would never have built their wigwam right there on the edge of the beach, because it’s dangerous. It floods, it’s exposed to the winds.”

From New York Times

According to the National Park Service, the architect Frank Redford, who had patented his design for a tepee-shaped building, disliked that word so he called them wigwams instead.

From New York Times