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powwow en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈpaʊ(ˌ)waʊ/

Etymology

From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).

Meanings

1. A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
2. A Native American shaman.
3. A Native American council or meeting.
4. (informal) A short, private conference.
   • While the powwow was going on the big woman came back again. She was consider'ble rumpled and scratched up, but there was fire in her eye. 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter XII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
5. (Canada, US) A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigenous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days.
   • On the way out, Octavio handed me a flyer for the powwow that listed the prize money in each dance category. 2018, Tommy Orange, There There, Harvill Secker, page 24:
6. A tradition of folk magic practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
pow-wow		alternative	lexicographic
powwows	Number=Plur		lexicographic
pau wau		alternative	lexicographic
pow wow		alternative	lexicographic

Translations (11)

dak wačhípi (Indigenous recital or concert) · pl pow-wow (a Native American council or meeting) · lkt wačhípi (Indigenous recital or concert) · crk ᐸᐧᑎᓯᒧ (Indigenous recital or concert) · bg индиански знахар (a Native American council or meeting) · crk ᒪᐢᑭᓯᒧᐃᐧᐣ (Indigenous recital or concert) · sv rådslag (a Native American council or meeting) · bg пау-уау (Indigenous recital or concert) · pl pow-wow (Indigenous recital or concert) · nv atsʼos bee alzhishí (a Native American council or meeting) · oj niimi'idiwin (a Native American council or meeting)

powwow en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈpaʊ(ˌ)waʊ/

Etymology

From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).

Meanings

1. (intransitive, of Native Americans) To hold a meeting; to gather together in council.
   • [The] Indians saw everything that happened and powwowed all night, needing more than anything else the presence of Tecumseh. The most aggressive element was the Winnebagos, who insisted on attacking. 2005, Glen Tucker, Tecumseh: A Vision of Glory, page 224:
2. (intransitive, of Native Americans and by extension other groups, qualifier:such as the Pennsylvania Dutch) To conduct a ritual in which magic is used.
   • Maybe no one— except possibly Leah— powwowed anymore. 2007, David W. Kriebel, Powwowing Among the Pennsylvania Dutch, page 10:
3. (informal, intransitive, offensive, often) To hold a private conference.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
pow wow		alternative	lexicographic
powwowing	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
powwowed	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
powwowed	Tense=Past		lexicographic
powwows	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
pau wau		alternative	lexicographic
pow-wow		alternative	lexicographic

Deriveds

powwower