superstition

American  

[soo-per-stish-uhn] / ˌsu pərˈstɪʃ ən /

noun

• superstitions
  plural

1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.

2. a system or collection of such beliefs.

3. a custom or act based on such a belief.

4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion.

5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.

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superstition British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃən /

noun

1. irrational belief usually founded on ignorance or fear and characterized by obsessive reverence for omens, charms, etc

2. a notion, act or ritual that derives from such belief

3. any irrational belief, esp with regard to the unknown

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• superstitions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of superstition

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin superstitiōn-, stem of superstitiō, from superstit-, stem of superstes “standing beyond, outliving” (from super- super- + -stes, combining form of stāre “to stand”) + -iō -ion

Explanation

A superstition is a belief or practice that isn’t entirely based on facts or reality, like carrying a rabbit’s foot because you think it brings you good fortune, or believing that Friday the 13th is a day of bad luck. When you pick up a penny, is it because you’re poor or do you think it’s lucky? If the quickest route makes you walk under a ladder, will you do it even though it’s bad luck? These are two examples of superstitions, irrational decisions we make for some weird reason. The Latin roots of the word translate as “standing over,” like how you freeze standing over a broken mirror. Don’t worry, it’s only a superstition, right?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

superstition superstitions

Misinformation and in some cases superstition are playing a role, and health workers’ attention is turning to how to combat false news.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

She has tentatively started another novel but has "a superstition talking about things that I haven't finished yet".

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

In a move of half superstition and half defiance, he pulls up a photo of Hyperliquid co-founder Jeff Yan on his monitor to oversee the trade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

Death penalty cases related to foreign culture, religion and "superstition" jumped by 250 percent after the border closure.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

This mixture of simplicity and cunning, of superstition and commercial reasoning, aroused Van Helsing, who said:—

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

If you were a supporter who believed in omens and superstitions then the sight of the unbreakable centre-back getting broken was not good for your karma.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

Even after Mr. Newman has done his best to demystify the creative life, he may not convince everyone to reject their rituals and superstitions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

He went on to express the superstitions some officers have about tackling rogue herbalists: "I will not go and provoke situations. I know that they have their own powers that are beyond my knowledge."

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025

Sonoda’s superstitions when Yamamoto pitches are only part of the story.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2025

“I thought your brother’s superstitions drove you crazy.”

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass