noun
powwow
POW-wow
noun
1
A gathering, especially of Native American communities, featuring dancing, singing, and ceremony.
"The tribe hosts an annual powwow that draws visitors from across the country."
2
A short, informal meeting or discussion.
"Let's have a quick powwow before the client call."
verb
1
To hold an informal meeting or discussion.
"The team powwowed in the break room to plan their pitch."
How to Use Powwow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally a Native American ceremonial gathering; now also used loosely for any quick meeting or chat.
When to use it
Using powwow to mean a casual business meeting can be seen as trivializing its Indigenous cultural and ceremonial origins — use with care.
Common pairings
have a powwow
quick powwow
Word Forms
powwowed past tense, powwows plural, powwows singular
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The tribe hosts an annual _____ that draws visitors from across the country.
Etymology
From an Eastern Algonquian word, likely Narragansett powwaw, meaning "shaman" or "one who practices magic".