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
1
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."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- totems
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.
