A pueblo means “village” or “town” in Spanish, but in the American Southwest, it refers to a specific type of multi-story building made of adobe (sun-dried mud bricks) or stone. These structures were built by Native American groups, particularly in what is now New Mexico and Arizona, and some pueblos have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.

A pueblo looks somewhat like an apartment building, with multiple families living in connected rooms stacked on top of each other. The thick adobe walls keep the interior cool during scorching summer days and warm during cold desert nights. People originally climbed wooden ladders to reach upper levels, and they could pull the ladders up for protection if needed. The buildings often face inward around a central plaza where the community gathers for ceremonies and daily activities.

The word also refers to the Native American peoples who built and lived in these structures, such as the Hopi, Zuni, and Taos Pueblo communities. Many pueblo communities still exist today, maintaining their traditional ways of life, languages, and ceremonies while also participating in modern society.

When you hear someone mention Taos Pueblo or Acoma Pueblo, they're referring both to the historic building complex and to the community of people who live there.