powwow

Meanings

Plural: powwows

Noun

(informal) a quick private conference
a council of or with Native Americans
A ritual conducted by a Native American shaman.
A Native American shaman.
A Native American council or meeting.
A short, private conference.
A large gathering during which Indigenous songs and dances are showcased for an audience, essentially a recital or concert. Often also doubles as a fundraiser, or can be held in conjunction with a non-indigenous fair or exhibition in order to attract a large crowd, as at the Calgary Stampede and K-Days.
A tradition of folk magic practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Verb

hold a powwow, talk, conference or meeting
To hold a meeting; to gather together in council.
To conduct a ritual in which magic is used.
To hold a private conference.

Origin / Etymology

From an Eastern Algonquian language, probably Massachusett pauwau (“he uses divination; he practices magic or sorcery”) or Narragansett powwáw (“sorcerer, shaman”), ultimately from Proto-Algonquian *pawe·wa (“one who dreams”).

Synonyms

huddle

Scrabble Score: 17

powwow is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
powwow is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
powwow is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

powwow is a valid Words With Friends word