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

And we have been distracted by the shiny objects of superstition and conspiracy and us versus them. — NBC news, 5 July 2026

Memorable matches, sacrifices, personal style, and superstitions were volleyed back and forth in a lively conversation Thursday night with tennis stars Andre Agassi, Caroline Wozniacki, Genie Bouchard, and James Blake, hosted by Ralph Lauren. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 26 June 2026

Towns leaned into the handbag superstition after the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback to win Game 4, and again after the Knicks won the title in San Antonio. — Zach Powell, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Baseball is famous for routines and superstitions. — Adam Annaccone, The Conversation, 22 June 2026

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