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

An old superstition says if someone has an itchy palm, money may be headed their way. —Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 9 July 2024

During that period in Westerosi history, nearly 170 years after the events of House of the Dragon, superstitions surrounding the castle were still going strong. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 1 July 2024

The open-to-media portion of UConn’s practice revealed Hurley making shots from certain spots on the floor, pursuant to his superstitions, or maybe in pursuit of a gift card for Buffalo wings somewhere. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2024

Solar eclipses are not omens Cultures throughout time have tied negative superstitions to the solar eclipse. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024

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

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