pagoda

[ puh-goh-duh ]

noun

1. in India, Myanmar (Burma), China, etc., a temple or sacred building, usually a pyramidlike tower and typically having upward-curving roofs over the individual stories.
2. any of several former gold or silver coins of southern India, usually bearing a figure of such a temple, first issued in the late 16th century and later also by British, French, and Dutch traders.

pagoda

/ pəˈɡəʊdə /

noun

1. an Indian or Far Eastern temple, esp a tower, usually pyramidal and having many storeys

pagoda

1. A tower with several different stories, each of which has its own roof. Pagodas are common in eastern Asia and originally served religious purposes as memorials or shrines.

Other Words From

• pa·goda·like adjective
• subpa·goda noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pagoda¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Portuguese pagode “temple,” ultimately from Persian butkada ( but “idol” + kada “temple, dwelling”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pagoda¹

C17: from Portuguese pagode, ultimately from Sanskrit bhagavatī divine

Example Sentences

After that the group was split, with some staying temporarily at the Best Western Plus Dragon Gate Inn or the Royal Pagoda Motel.

From Los Angeles Times

Liang said his parents are staying at the Best Western and will be moved to the Royal Pagoda Motel at the end of the month.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s important that the creators of the pagoda lunch box, the thank-you bag, and the pink doughnut box did not try to capture all the profits that they created.

From Los Angeles Times

Then Ms. Mac picked out a respectable cage—okay, not the three-story pagoda I’d had my eye on—but a nice cage.

From Literature

They moved to the Pagoda Hotel there in 2019 and continued until at least 2020.

From New York Times

Related Words

• gazebo
• memorial
• shrine
• temple