totem pole

noun

1

: a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indian tribes of the northwest coast of North America

2

: an order of rank : hierarchy

Illustration of totem pole

• totem pole 1

Examples of totem pole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their skilled artistry can be seen in colorful totem poles and intricately woven baskets found throughout the alluring coastal towns. —Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025

For me, ketchup is pretty low on the totem pole, while ranch is and always has been a favorite. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 11 May 2025

Hike the half-mile Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail to see Indigenous totem poles, Sitka spruce trees, and sweeping vistas of the Gastineau Channel. —Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025

Unfortunately for him, the Rockets are chock full of this exact player type, and all of them rank higher on the totem pole than Tate. —Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for totem pole

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole

Kids Definition

totem pole

noun

: a pole carved and painted with symbols of totems and set up by Indigenous people of the northwest coast of North America