wigwam

[ wig-wom, -wawm ]

noun

1. a Native American dwelling, usually of rounded or oval shape, formed of poles overlaid with bark, mats, or skins. Compare lodge ( def 9 ), teepee.
2. the Wigwam. Tammany Hall ( def 2 ).

wigwam

/ ˈwɪɡˌwæm /

noun

1. See tepee
   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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wigwam¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of wigwam¹

from Abnaki and Massachuset wīkwām, literally: their abode

Example Sentences

From Dollywood to the Wigwam Village Motel, the country never looked so sweet as through the eyes of a pooch.

From The Daily Beast

They led me to the largest wigwam of all; it contained fully eighty people.

From Project Gutenberg

He was allowed to live in Powhattan's wigwam, and, after a short time, was set completely free.

From Project Gutenberg

You shall no longer be a woman and live in a warm wigwam, with plenty of cakes to bake.

From Project Gutenberg

At this a sharp cry was heard, and a bird flew into the fireplace of the wigwam, and up the chimney.

From Project Gutenberg

White Fawn, their mother, was baking corn bread on the coals of the wigwam fire.

From Project Gutenberg