peace pipe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “peace pipe” mean?
A ceremonial tobacco pipe smoked by certain Indigenous North American peoples to seal a peace treaty or agreement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ceremonial tobacco pipe smoked by certain Indigenous North American peoples to seal a peace treaty or agreement.
Any symbol or act of reconciliation, truce, or agreement to end a conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in American English due to the historical and cultural context. In British English, it is primarily known through historical accounts and figurative use.
Connotations
In both variants, it connotes solemn agreement and reconciliation. In American English, it has a stronger, more direct cultural resonance.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “peace pipe” in a Sentence
to smoke the peace pipe (with someone)to offer (someone) the peace pipeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peace pipe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The warring factions finally decided to peace-pipe and end the conflict.
American English
- The tribes peace-piped to settle their territorial dispute.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figuratively: 'The CEOs agreed to smoke the peace pipe after the merger dispute.'
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, and political science texts discussing conflict resolution.
Everyday
Figurative: 'After their argument, the brothers decided to smoke the peace pipe.'
Technical
Primarily in ethnography and history referring to specific Indigenous ceremonies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peace pipe”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peace pipe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peace pipe”
- Using it flippantly for minor disagreements. Confusing it with a generic 'pipe'. Pluralizing as 'peace pipes' can sometimes dilute the ceremonial singular concept.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the standard English term, but it should be used with awareness of its specific cultural and ceremonial significance to Indigenous peoples.
Its figurative use is acceptable for significant reconciliations, but using it for trivial matters is inappropriate.
'Calumet' is a term often used, particularly for ceremonial pipes used by Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and Prairie.
Its primary reference is North American. Figurative use can apply globally, but the literal object is not part of other cultural traditions.
A ceremonial tobacco pipe smoked by certain Indigenous North American peoples to seal a peace treaty or agreement.
Peace pipe is usually formal, historical, figurative in register.
Peace pipe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpiːs ˌpaɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpiːs ˌpaɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to smoke the peace pipe”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'peace' being sealed with a shared 'pipe'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RECONCILIATION IS SHARING A CEREMONIAL PIPE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary, non-figurative meaning of 'peace pipe'?