noun

totem

TOH-tuhm

noun

An animal, plant, or natural object treated as a sacred emblem of a family, clan, or tribe, believed to have a spiritual connection to that group.

"The eagle was the totem of her grandmother's clan."

"Each family in the village claimed a different animal as its totem."

Something used as a symbol or personal emblem of a person, group, or idea.

"The old typewriter sat on his desk as a totem of his writing career."

In lucid dreaming, a small object a person checks to test whether they are awake or dreaming.

"In the film, the character spins a small top as his totem to check if he's still dreaming."

How to Use Totem

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn object or symbol that stands for a family, group, or idea, often with spiritual meaning.

Common mistake

Don't confuse a totem (a symbolic animal or object) with a totem pole, which is the carved wooden structure itself.

Common pairings

totem pole tribal totem family totem

totems plural

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The eagle was the _____ of her grandmother's clan.

Borrowed from Ojibwe odoodem, meaning "his kinship group" or clan emblem.