palanquin

noun

pa·​lan·​quin ˌpa-lən-ˈkēn 

-ˈkwin,

-ˈkin;

ˈpa-lən-ˌkēn,

-ˌkwin,

-ˌkin;

pə-ˈlaŋ-kwən 

: a conveyance formerly used especially in eastern Asia usually for one person that consists of an enclosed litter borne on the shoulders of men by means of poles

Examples of palanquin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In this photo released by Thailand's Royal Public Relations Department, Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn is transported on the royal palanquin by royal bearers during his visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddhism in 2019 in Bangkok. —Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023

This photo shows the Sisowath Monivog on a golden palanquin, leaving Devaninichai Palace for a triumphal procession through the streets of the city. Cambodia 1956 Another coronation in 1956, of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Kossouan. —Town & Country, 25 Mar. 2023

The slim figure was carried by four bearers on a palanquin, while the company’s actors animated its arms and billowing skirts from the sides. —Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2023

And on a famous altar stone from the site of Sak Nikte’, also in modern-day Guatemala, a queen known as Ix Naah Ek’ wore the helmet of the Maya god of war and stood atop a large battle palanquin, or platform, the size of a Macy’s parade float. —Shannon Palus, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2014

On a crisp December morning last year in Patan, Nepal, an idol of Laxmi Narayan was carried in a palanquin and reinstated with Hindu rituals as the community gathered to seek blessings. —Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2022

Ampersand’s carrier is more of a palanquin than a cage? —Devon Maloney, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2021

Remains of the red-and-gold palanquin abandoned by Siraj-ud-Daula at the Battle of Plassey sat in a glass case, unidentified. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2021

One of the most captivating items in the show is a palanquin from 1856, which was used to carry a wealthy bride to her groom’s home. —Emily Ferguson, WSJ, 22 Feb. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese palanquim, from Malay or Javanese pelangki, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Bengali pālaṅka bed

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

palanquin

noun

pa·​lan·​quin ˌpal-ən-ˈkēn  -ˈk(w)in 

pə-ˈlaŋ-kwən

: a boxlike structure in which a person is carried on the shoulders of servants using poles