totem

American  

[toh-tuhm] / ˈtoʊ təm /

noun

• totems
  plural

1. a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.

2. an object or natural phenomenon that a family or descendant group considers themselves closely related to.

3. a representation of a natural object, animate being, etc., that serves as the distinctive mark or emblem of a clan, family, or group.

4. anything serving as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol.

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totem British  

/ ˈtəʊtəm /

noun

1. (in some societies, esp among North American Indians) an object, species of animal or plant, or natural phenomenon symbolizing a clan, family, etc, often having ritual associations

2. a representation of such an object

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totem Cultural  

1. An animal, plant, or other object in nature that has a special relationship to a person, family, or clan and serves as a sign for that person or group.

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totem Idioms  

1. see low man on the totem pole.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subtotem
  noun
• totemic
  adjective
• totemically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• totems
  plural

Etymology

Origin of totem

An Americanism first recorded in 1750–60; from Ojibwe ninto·te·m “my totem,” oto·te·man “his totem” (probably originally “my/his clan-village-mate,” derivative of stem o·te·- “dwell in or as a village”; compare o·te·na “village”)

Explanation

A totem is an emblem or badge that features an animal or plant. Each totem represents a family, clan, or tribe. Do you come from a long line of fishermen? Perhaps your family’s totem is a trout. Any group can have a totem, but the word totem is from the Algonquian (Native American) word odoodeman for "his family mark." Totems are pictures — usually on badges or emblems — of animals or plants that represent a group of people, especially an extended family or clan. A totem could be a grizzly bear, oak tree, catfish, or just about any other living thing. Like a flag, a totem means a lot to the people it represents.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

totem totems

And Brunson, who entered the league on the low end of the financial totem pole as a second-round draft pick, still had the security to never worry again.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

The captain, the inspiration, the totem of Tynecastle.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

"It is a totem of celebration for Chinese people and people around the world," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2026

When asked why he was not helping to find water, he replied that his family totem was water and therefore he had no need to drink.

From "The Girl Who Married a Lion: and Other Tales from Africa" by Alexander Mccall Smith

But he is best known for his inimitable, Surrealist pictures featuring skeletal, architectonic figures—merging humans, animals, foliage, totems and signs—which, though indecipherable, are instantly recognizable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

It's been an uncomfortably long time since Scotland has seen the best of McGinn and McTominay, their twin totems, and Ryan Christie hasn't started any of Bournemouth's last five games.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2025

More often than not, the things the gang cooks, markets or consumes are totems of their most earnest, if wildly misdirected, ambitions.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2025

Down here in Australia there's a world of awe-inspiring wonders to behold, natural and man-made totems so stunning they can make your jaw drop to the floor.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2025

Since he didn’t know their totems, he wasn’t able to do it perfectly.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• emblem