wigwam

noun wig·wam \ ˈwig-ˌwäm \

|Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of wigwam

: a hut of the American Indians of the Great Lakes region and eastward having typically an arched framework of poles overlaid with bark, mats, or hides; also : a rough hut

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Recent Examples of wigwam from the Web

Learn how the French voyageurs and Potawatomi were connected, feel a beaver pelt, see canoes built of birch bark and walk inside a wigwam.

— annie alleman, chicagotribune.com, "Upcoming summer events for the south suburbs," 13 May 2018
The wigwam will serve as an indoor classroom where students can learn about Native Americans, said Nan Buckardt, director of education for the forest preserve district.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Life-sized dinosaur, wigwam and hands-on experiences featured at new Lake County museum," 25 Mar. 2018
Also in the museum is a wigwam created with help from Native American tribe members.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Life-sized dinosaur, wigwam and hands-on experiences featured at new Lake County museum," 25 Mar. 2018
In a prescient nod to future gender controversies, our Pocahontas was played by a gorgeous little boy who would have brightened any number of wigwams.

— christine m. flowers, Philly.com, "Girl Scouts have every right to be mad about new Boy Scouts rule | Christine Flowers," 12 Oct. 2017
Consider the repercussions when Achille Sel, who still follows Micmac lifeways, returns from a sojourn into the uncut northern forests and finds his wigwam burned, his wife murdered by English soldiers.

— william t. vollmann, New York Times, "Review: Annie Proulx’s ‘Barkskins’ Is an Epic Tale of Logging and Doom JUNE 16, 2016," 17 June 2016

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