powwow

[ pou-wou ]

noun

1. a large gathering organized by Native Americans for socializing, dancing, singing, and celebrating their culture.
2. a council or conference of or with Native Americans.
3. (historically, among North American Indians) a ceremony accompanied by spiritual, religious, and ritual practices, along with dancing, performed for the cure of disease, success in a hunt, etc.
4. (among Native Americans) a priest or shaman.
5. Informal: Often Offensive. any conference or meeting.

verb (used without object)

1. to hold a powwow, such as a cultural gathering, council, or spiritual ceremony for Native Americans.
2. Informal: Often Offensive. to confer.

powwow

/ ˈpaʊˌwaʊ /

noun

1. a talk, conference, or meeting
2. a magical ceremony of certain North American Indians, usually accompanied by feasting and dancing
3. (among certain North American Indians) a medicine man
4. a meeting of or negotiation with North American Indians

verb

1. intr to hold a powwow

Sensitive Note

There are a number of words associated with Native American peoples, like brave, chief, powwow, or warpath, that have been appropriated, especially for use in sports and business. While the words are not offensive in straightforward denotative use (e.g., the chief of a tribe in Oklahoma), they become problematic when dissociated from their Indigenous referents and used to evoke a culture that the people using these words don’t know anything authentic about. Use of these terms is beyond problematic, and truly offensive, when used to evoke a caricature or stereotype, or when used as a mascot or costume, as is the case sometimes in sports. When speaking or writing about members of Tribal Nations or First Nations, it’s best to understand the history and governance of the group in question, and to reflect the language used by the members of this specific tribe or nation. Fidelity to the group’s own naming is important. In other contexts, these Native-evoking words can and should be replaced with more neutral language, where your boss is not “the chief” and there is no need for a “powwow” because teams of co-workers can just chat, meet up, or have a brainstorming session.

Word History and Origins

Origin of powwow¹

An Americanism dating back to 1615–25; from Narragansett ( English spelling) powwaw “shaman, healer” (and the identical word in Massachusett ), from unattested Proto-Algonquian pawe·wa “he dreams” (used as a derived agent noun meaning “he who dreams,” i.e., one who derives his power from visions)

Word History and Origins

Origin of powwow¹

C17: from Algonquian; related to Natick pauwau one who practises magic, Narraganset powwaw

Example Sentences

The jingle dress dance, which originated with the Ojibwe people of North America in the early 20th century, typically takes place at powwows.

From New York Times

That unusual choice means it can be read without the centerpiece of 2018’s “There There,” which ended with Orvil, one of the main characters, in peril at a contemporary powwow in Oakland.

From Los Angeles Times

There is also a big episode that revolves around a powwow, which required the “Echo” team to re-create one from scratch in Georgia, with vendors, dancers and all, where they shot for multiple nights.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith’s paintings are studded with powwow fliers and clips from reservation newspapers; she also frequently writes place names into her canvases.

From Los Angeles Times

From a young age, Gibson nurtured his artistic passion through punk music, raves and the powwow traditions of Native American tribes.

From New York Times