: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground
Examples of kiva in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This pueblo is estimated to have 600 rooms, over 100 kivas, and a great kiva.
—
Jennifer Broome, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
My adobe-style casita came with a private balcony, gas-burning kiva fireplace and eye-popping view.
—Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
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
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Jennifer Broome, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025
My adobe-style casita came with a private balcony, gas-burning kiva fireplace and eye-popping view.
—Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Kiva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiva. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kiva
noun
ki·va
ˈkē-və 
: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground
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