shəˈtȯkwə noun
( -s )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: from Chautauqua lake, western New York, where it was founded
1.
a. : a stationary or traveling institution that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries providing popular education usually combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts, or dramatic perfomances often presented outdoors or in a tent
chautauqua is no more, its place taken by the radio everywhere — Lancaster Pollard
b. : a particular instance of meetings belonging to this institution as held in any one place or a single traveling unit of such lectures or concerts
lecture circuits usually suggest canvas-topped chautauquas — Infantry Journal
2. : any institution or series of popular presentations similar to a chautauqua in purpose or organization
in six states, chautauqua courses were held at various times throughout the states in four to twelve centers — Journal American Medical Association