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powwow

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powwow

  • /ˈpaʊ(ˌ)waʊ/

Where it comes from

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”).

noun powwows · pow wow · pow-wow · pau wau

  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.
  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.
  6. A tradition of folk magic practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch.

verb powwows · powwowing · powwowed · pow wow · pow-wow

  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.
  2. intransitive, of Native Americans and by extension other groups To conduct a ritual in which magic is used. Maybe no one— except possibly Leah— powwowed anymore.
  3. informal, intransitive, offensive, often To hold a private conference.

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MLA

"powwow." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/powwow. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

powwow. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/powwow

Chicago

"powwow." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/powwow.

BibTeX
@misc{powwow_2026,
  title = {powwow},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/powwow},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}