Illustration of totem pole
- totem pole 1
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
Examples of totem pole in a Sentence
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Further down the totem pole, hundreds of thousands of white-collar professionals—particularly in IT, finance, and business services—are benefiting from higher salaries as their dissident peers emigrate and their skills become scarcer.
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Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
Despite having Chuba Hubbard at the top of the totem pole following a career year, the Panthers could use some more talent on the depth chart.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Lower on the totem pole will be a third running back — preferably a power guy that can help Miami in short-yardage situations — as well as a third receiver and another tight end.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
The reopening of Victor Steinbrueck Park by Pike Place Market has been delayed amid a disagreement over restoring two totem poles that once stood there.
—Axios Seattle, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
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Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
Despite having Chuba Hubbard at the top of the totem pole following a career year, the Panthers could use some more talent on the depth chart.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
Lower on the totem pole will be a third running back — preferably a power guy that can help Miami in short-yardage situations — as well as a third receiver and another tight end.
—C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2025
The reopening of Victor Steinbrueck Park by Pike Place Market has been delayed amid a disagreement over restoring two totem poles that once stood there.
—Axios Seattle, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem pole
Cite this Entry
“Totem pole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totem%20pole. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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