howdah

or hou·dah

[ hou-duh ]

noun

1. (in the East Indies) a seat or platform for one or more persons, commonly with a railing and a canopy, placed on the back of an elephant.

howdah

/ ˈhaʊdə /

noun

1. a seat for riding on an elephant's back, esp one with a canopy

Word History and Origins

Origin of howdah¹

1765–75; < Hindi haudah < Arabic hawdaj

Word History and Origins

Origin of howdah¹

C18: from Hindi haudah, from Arabic haudaj load carried by elephant or camel

Example Sentences

Ms Nenk said its design - showing an elephant with a war-tower or howdah on its back - later became known as the "'elephant and castle' of heraldic iconography".

From BBC

Some continue up the side stairs to Lucy’s ornate howdah, which is perched atop the 65-foot-tall elephant and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic City skyline.

From Seattle Times

About the first time they climbed the spiral staircase up her leg and gazed at the sea from her howdah.

From New York Times

The same interest in foreign innovations that explains importing European steel sword blades manifests in the monoplane and silver-colored Rolls-Royce that replace the howdah and palanquin.

From Wall Street Journal

Luxury planes for Donald and friends are just the latest edition of the palanquins, howdahs, and gold plated coaches of the past.

From New York Times