shaman

noun

sha·​man ˈshä-mən How to pronounce shaman (audio)
ˈshā-,
 also  shə-ˈmän
plural shamans
1
: a priest or priestess who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events
2
: one who resembles a shaman
especially : high priest sense 3
shamanic
shə-ˈma-nik How to pronounce shaman (audio)
-ˈmä-
adjective

Examples of shaman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Season 1 draws from Hillerman’s novel Listening Woman about two people who are murdered in front of a blind shaman. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 That means a huge payday for the shaman and his team, but no amount of money is worth the unholy hell unleashed. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025 Their society was hierarchical, with those below the caciques known as the nitaínos (elites), behiques (perhaps shamans), and the naborías (usually servants and commoners). Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025 They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shaman

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Evenki (Tungusic language of Siberia) šamān

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaman was in 1698

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaman. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shaman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!