Potawatomi

/ˌpɔtəˈwɑtəmi/ name, noun

name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A member of a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region.
  • Grammar: potawatomi is listed as name, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: potawatomi language, pottawatomie.
  • Usage evidence: The Anishinaabe people are American Indians who have historically been associated with the Great Lakes region of what is now called Canada and the United States. The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes include the Odawas (also known as the Ottawas), the Chippewas (also known as the Ojibwes), and the Potawatomis (also known as the Bodéwadmis)—three interrelated groups that are sometimes collectively referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy. […] We also use data from additional tables published in that same 1937 census volume to identify all counties in the U.S. that had ten or more Odawas, ten or more Chippewas, and/or ten or more Potawatomis recorded in the 1930 census—and for each of these counties we identify the number of Odawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi people recorded in the county. In this way we document the states and counties of residence of the Anishinaabe population.

How to use "potawatomi"

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  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "potawatomi" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

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  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "potawatomi" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

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Compare nearby meanings

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Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "potawatomi" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "potawatomi language" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

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Final meaning check

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Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A member of a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region.

    "The Anishinaabe people are American Indians who have historically been associated with the Great Lakes region of what is now called Canada and the United States. The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes include the Odawas (also known as the Ottawas), the Chippewas (also known as the Ojibwes), and the Potawatomis (also known as the Bodéwadmis)—three interrelated groups that are sometimes collectively referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy. […] We also use data from additional tables published in that same 1937 census volume to identify all counties in the U.S. that had ten or more Odawas, ten or more Chippewas, and/or ten or more Potawatomis recorded in the 1930 census—and for each of these counties we identify the number of Odawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi people recorded in the county. In this way we document the states and counties of residence of the Anishinaabe population."

  2. 2
    the Algonquian language spoken by the Potawatomi wordnet
  3. 3
    a member of the Algonquian people originally of Michigan and Wisconsin wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    The Algonquian language spoken by the Potawatomi people.

Synonyms

All synonyms
potawatomi languagepottawatomie

Example

"The Anishinaabe people are American Indians who have historically been associated with the Great Lakes region of what is now called Canada and the United States. The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes include the Odawas (also known as the Ottawas), the Chippewas (also known as the Ojibwes), and the Potawatomis (also known as the Bodéwadmis)—three interrelated groups that are sometimes collectively referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy. […] We also use data from additional tables published in that same 1937 census volume to identify all counties in the U.S. that had ten or more Odawas, ten or more Chippewas, and/or ten or more Potawatomis recorded in the 1930 census—and for each of these counties we identify the number of Odawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi people recorded in the county. In this way we document the states and counties of residence of the Anishinaabe population."

Common questions

What does "potawatomi" mean?

A member of a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region.

What is a synonym for "potawatomi"?

Common synonyms include: potawatomi language, pottawatomie.

How do you use "potawatomi" in a sentence?

The Anishinaabe people are American Indians who have historically been associated with the Great Lakes region of what is now called Canada and the United States. The Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes include the Odawas (also known as the Ottawas), the Chippewas (also known as the Ojibwes), and the Potawatomis (also known as the Bodéwadmis)—three interrelated groups that are sometimes collectively referred to as the Three Fires Confederacy. […] We also use data from additional tables published in that same 1937 census volume to identify all counties in the U.S. that had ten or more Odawas, ten or more Chippewas, and/or ten or more Potawatomis recorded in the 1930 census—and for each of these counties we identify the number of Odawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi people recorded in the county. In this way we document the states and counties of residence of the Anishinaabe population.

How do you pronounce "potawatomi"?

Pronounced /ˌpɔtəˈwɑtəmi/.

Etymology

Borrowed from Ojibwe boodawaadamii or Potawatomi Bodéwademi (“those who tend the fire”) (unsyncoped form of Bodéwadmi), from boodawaadam/bodewadm (“hearth”).

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