superstition

noun

su·per·sti·tion | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsti-shən

Definition of superstition

1a : a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation

b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition

2 : a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Examples of superstition in a Sentence

It is a common superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. tales of superstition, witchcraft, and magic

Recent Examples on the Web

But the practices and superstitions that govern family life are purely of a specific time and place, when local folkways were swept away by high-tech savagery. — WSJ, "‘Birds of Passage’ Review: Splendor and the Grass," 14 Feb. 2019 Raised believing superstitions about witches, Rabha has spent the last 15 years in a crusade against witch hunting across India and is credited with spurring the Assam government to enact one of the country's strictest anti-witch hunting laws. — Seema Yasmin, SELF, "In Rural India, Protecting Women From Witch Hunting, and an Impending Flood," 17 Aug. 2018 The Age of Reason ought to have rescued the black cat from its pariah status, but superstitions die hard. — Amanda Foreman, WSJ, "The Dark Lore of Black Cats," 18 Oct. 2018 Then there are the seemingly absurd bits of superstition. — Brian P. Kelly, WSJ, "‘Hungover’ Review: There’s Got to Be a Morning After," 9 Nov. 2018 One of the most pervasive superstitions is that of the number 13. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "Why Do People Think the Number 13 Is Unlucky? Let's Talk About Triskaidekaphobia," 29 Aug. 2018 These three aren't approaching baseball players' levels of athletic superstitions. — Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Indy Ballet dancers talk pre-show rituals and the bird that inspired their choreography," 16 Feb. 2018 Although grooms aren't supposed to see their brides in their wedding dresses ahead of the wedding, according to superstition, Prince Harry still had some say in Meghan Markle's bridal look. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince Harry Helped Meghan Markle Choose Her Wedding Tiara with the Queen," 26 Oct. 2018 Edamaruku lives in exile in Finland because of his work fighting superstition. — Seema Yasmin, SELF, "In Rural India, Protecting Women From Witch Hunting, and an Impending Flood," 17 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'superstition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of superstition was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for superstition

superstition

noun

English Language Learners Definition of superstition

: a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck : a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck

See the full definition for superstition in the English Language Learners Dictionary

superstition

noun

su·per·sti·tion | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈsti-shən

Kids Definition of superstition

: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic or chance It's a superstition that the number 13 is unlucky.