2026

Powwow

Definitions

1
A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
2
A Native American shaman.
3
A Native American council or meeting.

1
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.

Word Origin

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 *p...

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Powwow

Definitions

nounpowwows

1
A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
2
A Native American shaman.
3
A Native American council or meeting.

verbpowwows · powwowing · powwowed

1
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.

Word Origin

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 *p...

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2

To conduct a ritual in which magic is used.

Maybe no one— except possibly Leah— powwowed anymore.

3

To hold a private conference.