1
: a ceremonial feast of the American Indians of the northwest coast marked by the host's lavish distribution of gifts or sometimes destruction of property to demonstrate wealth and generosity with the expectation of eventual reciprocation
2
Northwestern US : a social event or celebration

potlatch

2 of 2

verb

potlatched; potlatching; potlatches

transitive verb

1
: to give (something, such as a gift) especially with the expectation of a gift in return
2
: to hold or give a potlatch for (a tribe, a group, etc.)

intransitive verb

: to hold or give a potlatch

Examples of potlatch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In the Pacific Northwest, for instance, researchers have inferred which years featured particularly generous potlatches based on how many trees were harvested at that time. Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Chinook Jargon patlač, from Nootka p̓aƛp̓ač

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potlatch was circa 1858

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Potlatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potlatch. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on potlatch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!