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Definition of wapta
wapta
/ˈwɑːp.tə/
wap · ta
Plural:waptas
wapta Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Canadian A word of Nakoda origin meaning 'river', predominantly used as a toponymic element in naming geological and geographical features in the Canadian Rockies.
Example
"Many hikers visiting Yoho National Park marvel at the power of Wapta Falls, whose name reflects the Indigenous Nakoda word for river."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for waptaWord Nuance & Usage
In English, 'Wapta' is almost exclusively encountered capitalized as a proper noun within Canadian geographical names (such as Wapta Falls and the Wapta Icefield) rather than as a standalone common noun.
• Rhymes for wapta
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Nakoda (Stoney) Indigenous word 'waptá', meaning 'river' or 'running water'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wapta. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wapta