powwow

UK: /ˈpaʊwaʊ/ US: /ˈpaʊˌwaʊ/ ,(pou′wou′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pow•wow /ˈpaʊˌwaʊ/   n. [countable]

1. Anthropology (among North American Indians) a ceremony performed to effect the cure of disease, etc.
2. Anthropology a council or conference of, or with, Indians.
3. Anthropology (among North American Indians) a priest or shaman.
4. Informal Terms any conference or meeting:
   a powwow with the vice president.

v. [no object]

5. to hold a powwow.
6. Informal Terms to meet:
   They're probably powwowing right now.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pow•wow  (pou′wou′), n. 

1. Anthropology (among North American Indians) a ceremony, esp. one accompanied by magic, feasting, and dancing, performed for the cure of disease, success in a hunt, etc.
2. Anthropology a council or conference of or with Indians.
3. Anthropology (among North American Indians) a priest or shaman.
4. Informal Terms any conference or meeting.

v.i. 

5. to hold a powwow.
6. Informal Terms to confer.

• Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa he dreams (used as a derived agent noun, nominal meaning "he who dreams'', i.e., one who derives his power from visions)
• Narragansett (English spelling, spelled) powwaw Indian priest (and the identical word in Massachusett)
• 1615–25, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

powwow / ˈpaʊˌwaʊ/ noun

1. a talk, conference, or meeting
2. a magical ceremony of certain Native Americans, usually accompanied by feasting and dancing
3. (among certain Native Americans) a medicine man
4. a meeting of or negotiation with Native Americans

verb

1. (intransitive) to hold a powwow

Etymology: 17th Century: from Algonquian; related to Natick pauwau one who practises magic, Narraganset powwaw