noun Uncommon

totem

TOH-tuhm

Totem (noun) means 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. Example: “The eagle was the totem of her grandmother's clan.”

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

Word forms

totems plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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

Etymology

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

Frequently asked questions

What does “totem” mean?

The word “totem” means 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. In plain terms, an object or symbol that stands for a family, group, or idea, often with spiritual meaning.

How do you pronounce “totem”?

“Totem” is pronounced TOH-tuhm (/ˈtoʊtəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “totem” in a sentence?

Here is “totem” used in a sentence: “The eagle was the totem of her grandmother's clan.”

What part of speech is “totem”?

“Totem” is a noun.

Is “totem” a common word?

“Totem” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “totem” have?

“Totem” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: 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.