superstition

noun

su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈsti-shən 

1

a

: 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

There is a lot of superstition in football so something which doesn’t work always needs attention. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Many cultures have traditions and superstitions about how what happens on New Year’s Eve impacts the year ahead. —Chris Brennan, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026

Here are some of the most popular superstitions to embrace for good luck or avoid for bad luck. —Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Dec. 2025

The superstition dates back over a century. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English supersticion, from Anglo-French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for superstition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

superstition

noun

su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈstish-ən 

1

: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic

2

: an unreasoning fear of nature, the unknown, or God resulting from superstition