Teepee
/ˈtiː.piː/noun
A conical tent traditionally made from hides or fabric and supported by poles, especially one historically used by some Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains.
Did you know?The English spelling “teepee” is an attempt to represent Lakota thípi, commonly analyzed as tí, “to dwell,” plus a noun-forming element meaning a place or structure.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-19th century
Lakota
thípi
“Dwelling place or house”
19th century
Dakota/Lakota
tipi
“A dwelling, especially the conical lodge used by Plains peoples”
19th century
English
tepee
“An English spelling of the Indigenous term for a conical lodge”
Late 19th century
English
teepee
“A conical tent or lodge, commonly associated with Plains Indigenous cultures”
Modern English
English
teepee
“A traditional or tent-like conical shelter”