punkah

noun

pun·​kah ˈpəŋ-kə How to pronounce punkah (audio)
: a fan used especially in India that consists of a canvas-covered frame suspended from the ceiling and that is operated by a cord

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu pãkhā

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of punkah was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near punkah

Cite this Entry

“Punkah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punkah. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!