First Known Use: 1636
Dictionary
wampum
noun wam·pum \ˈwäm-pəm\
: beads, polished shells, etc., used in the past by Native Americans as money and decorations
Full Definition of WAMPUM
1
: beads of polished shells strung in strands, belts, or sashes and used by North American Indians as money, ceremonial pledges, and ornaments
2
: money
See wampum defined for English-language learners
See wampum defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WAMPUM
short for wampumpeag
Related to WAMPUM
- Synonyms
- bread [slang], bucks, cabbage [slang], cash, change, chips, coin, currency, dough, gold, green, jack [slang], kale [slang], legal tender, lolly [British], long green [slang], loot, lucre, moola (or moolah) [slang], needful, pelf, scratch [slang], shekels (also sheqels or shekelim or shekalim or sheqalim), tender, money
WAMPUM Defined for Kids
wampum
noun wam·pum \ˈwäm-pəm\
Definition of WAMPUM for Kids
: beads made of shells and once used for money or ornament by North American Indians
Learn More About WAMPUM
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: wampum beltPrevious Word in the Dictionary: wampishAll Words Near: wampum
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up wampum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).