1. A meeting or social gathering of Native Americans, which sometimes included dancing: The tourists were allowed to watch a real powwow as long as they were completely quiet and stayed outside the fence.
2. An American Indian ceremony that usually included magic, feasting, and dancing; all of which were performed for the cure of disease, success in hunting, victory in war, etc.: The powwow took place at dusk, led by the Indian priest, or medicine man, who was called in to heal the wounded after a skirmish with another tribe.
3. Etymology: from Narragansett powwaw, "shaman" or "one who has visions".