medicine man
Americannoun
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(among North American Indians and some other aboriginal peoples) a person believed to possess magical or supernatural powers; shaman.
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a seller of patent medicine, especially before 1900, presenting a medicine show to attract customers.
noun
Etymology
Origin of medicine man
First recorded in 1795–1805
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chasing Horse, who is also known as Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, had a reputation as a medicine man among Indigenous tribes across the US and Canada.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
The Apache medicine man Geronimo made his now-legendary name leading raids and eluding capture during the Apache wars of the 19th century.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
As a young mother, Ms. Rabha was told by a local medicine man that her mentally ill son would soon die; he didn’t.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2024
Last month, a Navajo medicine man held a cleansing ceremony at several locations on campus, including Silsby.
From Seattle Times ● May 14, 2023
Chief and subject, warrior and medicine man, all took part and endeavored to influence its decisions.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
