wooden Indian

noun

plural wooden Indians

: a wooden image of a standing Indigenous American warrior used especially formerly as a sign for a cigar store

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of wooden Indian was in 1855

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Browse Nearby Words

wooden horse

wooden Indian

wooden nickel

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Wooden Indian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wooden%20Indian. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

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