shaman
Americannoun
-
shamans
plural
noun
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a priest of shamanism
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a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of shaman
First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”
Explanation
A shaman is a tribal healer who can act as a medium between the visible world and the spirit world. Shamans are kind of a mix between priests and doctors. Like a priest, a shaman is a holy man who represents a religion — in this case, shamanism. Like a doctor, a shaman heals people — or at least claims to do so. If you're not into shamanism, you can use this term more generally: A really good teacher, especially one who works a little mysteriously, might be said to work "like a shaman".
Vocabulary lists containing shaman
Born a Crime
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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World Religions
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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.
See Examples For:
Some recited Whanki's essays, while a local shaman performed a "healing ritual".
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Haakon's sister, Märtha Louise, has also courted controversy for remarrying an American self-styled shaman in 2024, their business activities ultimately leading her to step back from royal duties.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
"May all that is bad dissolve into the river and never return," the shaman chanted.
From Barron's ● Mar. 10, 2026
Spear dies a hero at the second season’s close, only for a shaman to reanimate him in the third season premiere as a zombie.
From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2026
He was like some shaman fasting during a particularly arduous and prolonged mystical rite.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
He points to the ayahuasqueros, or shamans of the Amazon Basin, as an example of how humans have engaged in radically different methodologies of discovery for generations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026
Peruvian shamans predict global conflict, a White House shakeup in 2026.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 30, 2025
Mr Verrett has said he is the latest in six generations of shamans and once said he died for four minutes and 25 seconds.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2024
And the FDA will not approve a ceremony involving shamans and chanting and all of that.
From Salon ● Apr. 21, 2024
It was made of brown vicuña wool, a luxury reserved for the highest of noblemen and shamans.
From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis
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.
