palanquin

noun

pa·lan·quin | \ ˌpa-lən-ˈkēn

How to pronounce palanquin (audio)

, -ˈkwin, -ˈkin; ˈpa-lən-ˌkēn, -ˌkwin, -ˌkin; pə-ˈlaŋ-kwən

How to pronounce palanquin (audio)

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Definition of palanquin

: 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

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, "The Legacy of a Japanese Classic," 22 Feb. 2019 Visitors are greeted by life-size elephant mannequins, massive thrones, canopies, tents, palanquins, swings and swords that impress by their sheer weightiness. — Sharmila Mukherjee, The Seattle Times, "SAM’s ‘Peacock in the Desert’ opens the doors of our perception to the marvelous," 2 Jan. 2019 The newlyweds made quite an entrance, and were carried into the center on palanquins that were each held up by four men. — Brooke Porter Katz, Harper's BAZAAR, "Queen of the Desert: Henrietta Tiefenthaler & Oli Wennink's Wedding in Morocco," 11 Apr. 2018 In one of the museum’s thoroughfares, drums and pipes and colorful flags surround a bride’s covered palanquin and a groom’s bejeweled elephant. — Lee Lawrence, WSJ, "‘Peacock in the Desert’ Review: Courting Opulence in Northwest India," 10 Mar. 2018 Three separate and intensely solemn processions involving thousands of troops, a golden palanquin, a chariot and a royal gun carriage will move the royal urn representing Bhumibol’s remains from the Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall to the crematorium. — Washington Post, "Thailand grieves in elaborate final goodbye to King Bhumibol," 25 Oct. 2017 Royal palanquins and a golden chariot have been prepared for the five-day cremation ceremony, which weaves together 600-year-old spiritual traditions. — Hannah Beech, New York Times, "Thailand Prepares for a King’s $90 Million Cremation Ceremony," 25 Oct. 2017 An ornate palanquin, seen through a window in Bangkok on Friday, is prepared for the royal funeral. — Sunil Jagtiani, Bloomberg.com, "Thailand Prepares for Cremation of Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palanquin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of palanquin was in 1588

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