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Tepee: meaning, definitions and examples

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tepee

 

[ ˈtēpē ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

Native American structure

A tepee, traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of North America, is a conical tent made of animal skins or canvas. It is designed to provide warmth, shelter, and mobility, allowing families to easily relocate. The structure is typically supported by a framework of wooden poles, which also allows for a fire to be maintained inside.

Synonyms

dwelling, tent, tipi

Examples of usage

  • The family set up their tepee near the river.
  • During the festival, we learned how to build a traditional tepee.
  • Children played around the tepee during the camping trip.

Translations

Translations of the word "tepee" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tenda indígena

🇮🇳 टीपी

🇩🇪 Tipi

🇮🇩 tenda suku

🇺🇦 тепе

🇵🇱 tipi

🇯🇵 ティピー

🇫🇷 tipi

🇪🇸 tipi

🇹🇷 tipi

🇰🇷 티피

🇸🇦 تيبي

🇨🇿 teepee

🇸🇰 teepee

🇨🇳 帐篷

🇸🇮 tipi

🇮🇸 tipi

🇰🇿 киіз үй

🇬🇪 ტიპი

🇦🇿 tipi

🇲🇽 tipi

Etymology

The word 'tepee' originates from the Lakota word 'thípi', which means 'to dwell' or 'to live in'. It is a term used to describe the portable, tent-like dwelling used by many nomadic Native American tribes, especially those of the Great Plains. Historically, tepees were made from wooden poles arranged in a circular frame and covered with animal hides or canvas. Their design provided insulation and protection from the elements while allowing for a central fire for cooking and warmth. The tepee has become an iconic symbol of Indigenous culture in North America, representing the connection to nature and the nomadic lifestyle of the tribes that used them.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,639 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.