Pagoda
/pəˈɡoʊ.də/noun
A tiered tower or temple structure, especially in East and Southeast Asia.
Did you know?English got *pagoda* through Portuguese and likely ultimately from a South Asian term for a temple, but the exact path is debated, which makes it a perfect example of how sacred architecture can be renamed by history.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Portuguese
pagode
“A term used by Portuguese travelers for an Asian temple or idol, especially in India and Southeast Asia.”
16th-17th Century
English
pagoda
“A term adopted from European travel writing for an Asian temple tower or shrine.”
Possibly Middle Persian / South Asian sources
Various
bútkada / pagoda-like source forms
“A debated earlier source term referring to a temple, idol, or sacred place.”
Modern English
English
pagoda
“A tiered religious tower, especially in Buddhist architecture.”