powwow

1 of 2

noun

pow·​wow ˈpau̇-ˌwau̇ 

plural powwows

1

: an American Indian medicine man

2

a

: an American Indian ceremony (as for victory in war)

b

: an American Indian social gathering or fair usually including competitive dancing

3

informal + offensive; see usage paragraph below

a

: a social get-together

b

: a meeting for discussion

Usage of Powwow

Use of the word powwow to refer generally to a social get-together or to a meeting for discussion is considered to be an offensive appropriation of a term of great cultural importance to Indigenous Americans.

powwow

2 of 2

verb

powwowed; powwowing; powwows

intransitive verb

: to hold a powwow

Note: Use of this term in contexts not relating to Indigenous Americans or their cultures is considered offensive.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Narragansett powwaw or Massachusett pauwau

First Known Use

Noun

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1646, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

powwow

noun

pow·​wow

ˈpau̇-ˌwau̇

1

: a ceremony or social gathering of North American Indigenous people

2

offensive : a meeting for discussion