kiva
noun
ki·va ˈkē-və 
: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure that is usually round and partly underground
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web During the autumnal equinox, for example, the sun rises in alignment with Casa Rinconada, a grand kiva. 
Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2022 The site was built and occupied between 1250 and 1340 and contains an astronomical observatory, great kiva and natural stone stairway. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Stevens recalled working on a wildfire in 2006 in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona and a prison crew coming across a great kiva — a circular stone built into the earth and used for ceremonies. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 20 June 2022 The primary bedroom suite incorporates another kiva-style fireplace. Lauren Beale, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 The interiors of two missions — Abó and Quara — contained an interesting feature: Each had a kiva. Washington Post, 18 June 2021 The living room has a floating wood bench off a curved wall and a kiva-like fireplace. James Leggate, Fox News, 2 Oct. 2020 The town of 40,000 sits in a county the size of Connecticut, a landscape of mesas, canyons and ancient kiva ruins. Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 12 May 2020 Double sets of French doors open from the living room and from a hallway beyond the breakfast room to a sunroom with flagstone floors and a kiva fireplace. Julie Lasky, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2020 See More
Outside Online, 15 Sep. 2022 The site was built and occupied between 1250 and 1340 and contains an astronomical observatory, great kiva and natural stone stairway. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Stevens recalled working on a wildfire in 2006 in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona and a prison crew coming across a great kiva — a circular stone built into the earth and used for ceremonies. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 20 June 2022 The primary bedroom suite incorporates another kiva-style fireplace. Lauren Beale, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 The interiors of two missions — Abó and Quara — contained an interesting feature: Each had a kiva. Washington Post, 18 June 2021 The living room has a floating wood bench off a curved wall and a kiva-like fireplace. James Leggate, Fox News, 2 Oct. 2020 The town of 40,000 sits in a county the size of Connecticut, a landscape of mesas, canyons and ancient kiva ruins. Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 12 May 2020 Double sets of French doors open from the living room and from a hallway beyond the breakfast room to a sunroom with flagstone floors and a kiva fireplace. Julie Lasky, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Hopi kíva
First Known Use
1871, in the meaning defined above