totem pole

American  

noun

totem poles plural

1. a pole or post carved and painted with totemic figures, erected by Indians of the northwest coast of North America, especially in front of their houses.

2. a hierarchical system.

   the bureaucratic totem pole.

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totem pole British  

noun

1. a pole carved or painted with totemic figures set up by certain North American Indians, esp those of the NW Pacific coast, within a village as a tribal symbol or, sometimes, in memory of a dead person

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totem pole Cultural  

1. Among some Native Americans, a pole on which totems are carved. The totem pole usually stands in front of a house or shelter.

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Discover More

A totem pole is thought of figuratively as a symbol (see also symbol) of a hierarchy: “Where does she stand on the totem pole?”

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• totem poles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of totem pole

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

A single totem pole appears in the far right of the tight frame, as stiff and formal as Fred.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

If they made it to New York or London, they would start over as an analyst, at the bottom of the totem pole.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The delegation explained to museum and government officials how the totem pole was taken and asked for its return without any conditions.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2023

Almost 100 years ago, a hand-carved totem pole was cut down in the Nass Valley in the northwest of Canada’s British Columbia.

From New York Times • Aug. 29, 2023

He was low man on the totem pole, the bottom of the ladder.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George