# Sundance

/ˈsənˌdæns/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sundance
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a religious ceremony performed by some Native American groups to celebrate life and nature. It often involves dancing, singing, and fasting for several days.

For teachers: a solemn religious ceremony practiced by various Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains, characterized by communal prayer, fasting, and ritual dancing. Often involves physical endurance and is performed to ensure the spiritual renewal of the community.

## Examples

- The tribe gathered in the summer for the traditional sundance.
- Anthropologists observed the sundance from a distance, noting the deep spiritual connection the participants felt toward the natural world.
- The sundance remains a vital expression of cultural identity and spiritual resilience, serving as a bridge between ancestral traditions and the contemporary life of the community.

## Usage notes

- Often capitalized as 'Sun Dance' or 'Sundance' to denote its status as a specific religious rite.

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