palanquin
noun
pa·lan·quin
ˌpa-lən-ˈkēn 
-ˈkwin,
-ˈkin;
ˈpa-lən-ˌkēn,
-ˌkwin,
-ˌkin;
pə-ˈlaŋ-kwən
: a conveyance formerly used especially in eastern Asia usually for one person that consists of an enclosed litter borne on the shoulders of men by means of poles
Examples of palanquin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In this photo released by Thailand's Royal Public Relations Department, Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn is transported on the royal palanquin by royal bearers during his visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddhism in 2019 in Bangkok.
—
Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
This photo shows the Sisowath Monivog on a golden palanquin, leaving Devaninichai Palace for a triumphal procession through the streets of the city. Cambodia 1956 Another coronation in 1956, of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Kossouan.
—Town & Country, 25 Mar. 2023
The slim figure was carried by four bearers on a palanquin, while the company’s actors animated its arms and billowing skirts from the sides.
—Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2023
And on a famous altar stone from the site of Sak Nikte’, also in modern-day Guatemala, a queen known as Ix Naah Ek’ wore the helmet of the Maya god of war and stood atop a large battle palanquin, or platform, the size of a Macy’s parade float.
—Shannon Palus, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2014
On a crisp December morning last year in Patan, Nepal, an idol of Laxmi Narayan was carried in a palanquin and reinstated with Hindu rituals as the community gathered to seek blessings.
—Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2022
Ampersand’s carrier is more of a palanquin than a cage?
—Devon Maloney, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2021
Remains of the red-and-gold palanquin abandoned by Siraj-ud-Daula at the Battle of Plassey sat in a glass case, unidentified.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2021
One of the most captivating items in the show is a palanquin from 1856, which was used to carry a wealthy bride to her groom’s home.
—Emily Ferguson, WSJ, 22 Feb. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
This photo shows the Sisowath Monivog on a golden palanquin, leaving Devaninichai Palace for a triumphal procession through the streets of the city. Cambodia 1956 Another coronation in 1956, of King Norodom Suramarit and Queen Kossouan.
—Town & Country, 25 Mar. 2023
The slim figure was carried by four bearers on a palanquin, while the company’s actors animated its arms and billowing skirts from the sides.
—Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2023
And on a famous altar stone from the site of Sak Nikte’, also in modern-day Guatemala, a queen known as Ix Naah Ek’ wore the helmet of the Maya god of war and stood atop a large battle palanquin, or platform, the size of a Macy’s parade float.
—Shannon Palus, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2014
On a crisp December morning last year in Patan, Nepal, an idol of Laxmi Narayan was carried in a palanquin and reinstated with Hindu rituals as the community gathered to seek blessings.
—Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2022
Ampersand’s carrier is more of a palanquin than a cage?
—Devon Maloney, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2021
Remains of the red-and-gold palanquin abandoned by Siraj-ud-Daula at the Battle of Plassey sat in a glass case, unidentified.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2021
One of the most captivating items in the show is a palanquin from 1856, which was used to carry a wealthy bride to her groom’s home.
—Emily Ferguson, WSJ, 22 Feb. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Palanquin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palanquin. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
palanquin
noun
pa·lan·quin
ˌpal-ən-ˈkēn
-ˈk(w)in
-ˈk(w)in
pə-ˈlaŋ-kwən
: a boxlike structure in which a person is carried on the shoulders of servants using poles
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share