totem

noun to·tem \ ˈtō-təm \

Definition of totem

1 a :an object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry; also :a usually carved or painted representation of such an object

b :a family or clan identified by a common totemic object

2 :one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol

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Examples of totem in a Sentence

Private jets are a totem of success among extremely wealthy people.
the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country

Recent Examples of totem from the Web

Shamanic healer and intuitive, Colleen McCann, explains below what spirit animals are, and how they can be harnessed for help in life, whether through meditation or totem form.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "The 23 Most Ridiculous Moments in Goop History, Ranked," 24 Aug. 2017
But the Medicare-for-All slogan is a powerful totem for those who believe Democrats must abandon their attachment to private-sector involvement in health care and other key areas of public policy.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Growing Battle Within the Progressive Left Over Medicare-for-All," 17 Aug. 2017
The plaque, which was inlaid into the floor of the pavilion, was once a part of a larger totem to Davis, but was reduced in size and stature after the downtown park was redeveloped last year.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Confederate plaque quickly removed from Horton Plaza," 16 Aug. 2017
In one, Dopey becomes a mutant totem pole, each of his faces bigger than the one below it.

— david pagel, latimes.com, "Paul McCarthy at Hauser & Wirth: A horror show on a grand, exquisite scale," 14 Aug. 2017
Adopted by the Franklin Square Community Association in 2012, the park features totem poles with colorful flags overhanging the green space, which connects its two murals on either side — each decorated with larger-than-life sunflowers.

— brittany britto, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore pocket parks make big impacts in small spaces," 10 Aug. 2017
Many of the totem-like forms owe a certain something to one of his most important aesthetic influences — the tribal art of Oceania.

— ian phillips, ELLE Decor, "HOUSE TOUR: This Highly-Curated French Duplex Apartment Is Like An Interactive Art Museum," 1 Aug. 2017
But there was so much more: the totem-pole ceremony; the death protocol; family crests.

— craig taylor, Smithsonian, "See Canada Through Fresh Eyes on a First Nations Tour," 10 July 2017
These guys ain't played a game, always hurt, and at the bottom of the totem pole.

— andrew joseph, USA TODAY, "Joel Embiid continues his feud with LaVar Ball," 5 July 2017

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

totem Has Roots in an Algonquian Language

Totem comes to us from Ojibwa, an Algonquian language spoken by an American Indian people from the regions around Lake Superior. The most basic form of the word in Ojibwa is believed to be "ote," but 18th-century English speakers encountered it as "ototeman" ("his totem"), which became our word totem. In its most specific sense, "totem" refers to to an emblematic depiction of something (such as an animal, plant, or supernatural being) gives a family or tribe its name and that often serves as a reminder of its ancestry. The term is also used broadly for any thing or person having particular emblematic or symbolic importance. The related adjective "totemic" describes something that serves as a totem, that depicts totems ("totemic basketry," for example), or that has the nature of a totem.

Origin and Etymology of totem

Ojibwa oto·te·man his totem

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1776

See Words from the same year

totem Synonyms

Synonyms

ensign, hallmark, impresa, logo, symbol, emblem, trademark

Related Words

attribute, icon (also ikon), pictograph; logogram, logograph; badge, coat of arms, cognizance, crest, insignia, monogram; colophon, stamp, token

Other Heraldry Terms

blazon, cachet, couchant, dormant, escutcheon, potent, standard

TOTEM Defined for English Language Learners

totem

noun

Definition of totem for English Language Learners

: something (such as an animal or plant) that is the symbol for a family, tribe, etc., especially among Native Americans
: a usually carved or painted figure that represents such a symbol
: a person or thing that represents an idea