noun

wigwam

WIHG-wahm

Wigwam (noun) means a domed dwelling built with a frame of bent poles covered in bark, hides, or mats, traditionally used by some Native American peoples. Example: “The museum has a full-size replica of a traditional wigwam.”

noun

A domed dwelling built with a frame of bent poles covered in bark, hides, or mats, traditionally used by some Native American peoples.

"The museum has a full-size replica of a traditional wigwam."

How to use wigwam

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA traditional dome-shaped Native American dwelling made from bent poles and bark or hide covering.

Common mistake

Often confused with a tepee, which is cone-shaped rather than domed and used by different Plains peoples.

Easily confused with

teepee →

Word forms

wigwammed past tense, wigwams plural, wigwams singular

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Fill the gap

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The museum has a full-size replica of a traditional _____.

Etymology

Borrowed from an Eastern Algonquian word (Abenaki wigwôm or Penobscot wigwom) meaning "house."

Frequently asked questions

What does “wigwam” mean?

The word “wigwam” means a domed dwelling built with a frame of bent poles covered in bark, hides, or mats, traditionally used by some Native American peoples. In plain terms, a traditional dome-shaped Native American dwelling made from bent poles and bark or hide covering.

How do you pronounce “wigwam”?

“Wigwam” is pronounced WIHG-wahm (/ˈwɪɡwɑːm/ in IPA).

How do you use “wigwam” in a sentence?

Here is “wigwam” used in a sentence: “The museum has a full-size replica of a traditional wigwam.”

What part of speech is “wigwam”?

“Wigwam” is a noun.