witchcraft

noun

witch·​craft ˈwich-ˌkraft 

1

a

: the use of sorcery or magic

b

: communication with the devil or with a familiar

2

: an irresistible influence or fascination

3

a

: rituals and practices that incorporate belief in magic and that are associated especially with neo-pagan traditions and religions (such as Wicca)

Practitioners of Wicca … use the tools … such as the broom (a purifying symbol), the wand, candles, crystals and the knife …. They refer to their practices as witchcraft …

—Lesley Wright

b

or less commonly Witchcraft : a tradition or religion that involves the practice of witchcraft

Feminist witchcraft sees women's oppression and environmental abuse, which they argue are intimately linked, as firmly rooted in patriarchal religions.

—Wendy Griffin

Wicca, which emerged in the 1940s in England, is the original form of modern Pagan Witchcraft.

—Meg Yardley

Synonyms

• sorcery
• magic

Examples of witchcraft in a Sentence

taught all of her daughters witchcraft

Recent Examples on the Web

Thomas Ady, the 17th century author of a skeptical treatise on witchcraft A Candle in the Dark appears to refer to Vincent without naming him directly. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025

There’s a deep sadness to Mika Moon, a witch who has been raised to hide her magic, and there’s also sadness to witchcraft in general in this world, in which any one with magic is orphaned. —Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025

Erik Gustafsson hasn’t been able to re-create whatever witchcraft was needed for his weirdly spectacular 2022-23 season. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Black ritual salt is not safe to eat and is mostly used in witchcraft and spiritual practices to protect against negative energy. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for witchcraft

• abaft
• aircraft
• camshaft
• crankshaft
• downdraft
• engraft
• priestcraft
• redraft
• schoolcraft
• spacecraft
• stagecraft
• statecraft

Kids Definition

witchcraft

noun

witch·​craft -ˌkraft 

: the use of sorcery or magic