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. 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

“I wanted to replicate the process of making a wigwam, not make an actual wigwam,” Mr. Cornelius said.

From New York Times

Located inside Park Place Lodge, this outfitter leads guided fly-fishing trips on the Elk, Wigwam, Bull and Flathead rivers and Michel Creek.

From Washington Post

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

From Literature

American Indian: maize, moccasin, pemmican, potato, tobacco, tomahawk, tomato, wigwam.

From Literature

The monastery is a former motel with a lobby in the shape of a wigwam, where Bran’s mother meditates and vacuums and rapidly dies of ovarian cancer, which means Bran never gets to ask whether the call of the nunnery was worth abandoning a daughter.

From New York Times