tipi

Everyday

A tipi is a cone-shaped tent made of animal skins or cloth over long wooden poles, traditionally used by some Native American peoples of the Great Plains. tree →

In the lessons

In history and geography it is taught when learning about the Plains peoples such as the Lakota, who moved with the buffalo herds. Today tipis are also used at festivals and camps. Phrases: put up a tipi, inside the tipi.

Examples

• The Lakota lived in tipis that could be taken down quickly. tree →
• A tipi has a smoke hole at the top. tree →
• We slept in a tipi at the summer camp. tree →
• The tipi poles were tied together at the top. tree →
• Not all Native American peoples lived in tipis; many lived in wooden or earth houses. tree →
• Buffalo hide was used to cover the tipi. tree →

Note

Countable: one tipi, two tipis. Spellings tipi, tepee and teepee are all correct. Trap: it is a myth that all Native Americans lived in tipis; homes differed by people and region.