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

“I put my hand on my lid, I look down, and I close my eyes,” Cervantes said of his superstition.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

Part of Peet’s resistance to the procedures, she explains in the Fresh Air interview, is a superstition that by trying to beat death, she’d actually bring it on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 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

We’ll all find out together if, with the original stock market superstition, life actually imitates art.

From Barron's ● Mar. 13, 2026

My mother had a superstition, in fact, that children were predisposed to certain dangers on certain days, all depending on their Chinese birthdate.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

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

Tell us your superstitions, and we might share your story in a future article.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2025

The most telling of all the squad's superstitions is that of captain Zoe Aldcroft.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2025

There are similar superstitions in Bangladesh and Indonesia.

From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2025

It seemed that people failed to meet my eye, made as if to walk through me; my superstitions began to transform themselves into something like mania.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt