Powhatan

noun

Pow·​ha·​tan ˌpau̇-ə-ˈtan How to pronounce Powhatan (audio)
pau̇-ˈha-tᵊn
1
plural Powhatan or Powhatans : a member of a confederacy of Indigenous peoples of eastern Virginia
2
: the Algonquian language of the Powhatan people

Examples of Powhatan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Today in history On this day in 1614, Pocahontas, daughter of the chief Powhatan, married English tobacco farmer John Rolfe. Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Powhatan was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near Powhatan

Cite this Entry

“Powhatan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Powhatan. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Powhatan

biographical name

Pow·​ha·​tan ˌpau̇-ə-ˈtan How to pronounce Powhatan (audio)
pau̇-ˈha-tᵊn
1550?–1618 Wa-hun-sen-a-cawh or Wahunsonacock; father of Pocahontas American Indian chief

More from Merriam-Webster on Powhatan

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