kiva

noun

ki·​va ˈkē-və How to pronounce kiva (audio)
: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground

Examples of kiva in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Hopi sense of identity is vulnerable when Hopis live off the remote reservation, are distanced from religious and cultural practices like dry farming and ceremonies in the kiva, and can’t speak the language that is part of a spiritual covenant with the creator, Maasaw, Qötsahonmana said. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 9 Nov. 2021 Guest rooms are uniquely decorated with artisan pieces and art, colorful textiles, furnishings, tile mosaics, and wood-burning kiva fireplaces to curl up in front of. Alyssa Girdwain, Women's Health, 7 Apr. 2023 Guests enter the home through a foyer, which branches off to the left to the longer wing containing the dining room, kitchen, family room (with its original kiva fireplace) and three children’s or guest bedrooms. Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2023 The ruins of Chetro Ketl in Chaco Canyon, featuring the complex's great kiva. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Feb. 2023 The 2006 house has many rich Southwestern and Mexican details, including stone walls, saltillo tiles, ceiling beams, antique doors, and a primary suite with a kiva fireplace. The Week Staff, The Week, 22 Jan. 2023 This sweet New Mexico home has a white kiva fireplace and is a short walk from the Georgia O'Keefe Museum. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Dec. 2022 During the autumnal equinox, for example, the sun rises in alignment with Casa Rinconada, a grand kiva. Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2022 The site was built and occupied between 1250 and 1340 and contains an astronomical observatory, great kiva and natural stone stairway. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kiva.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Hopi kíva

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kiva was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near kiva

Cite this Entry

“Kiva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiva. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kiva

noun
ki·​va ˈkē-və How to pronounce kiva (audio)
: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground

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