totem pole

American  

noun

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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?”

Etymology

Origin of totem pole

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

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

On your way toward the Pier 86 Grain Terminal, keep an eye out for the rose garden and totem pole as you walk through Centennial Park.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2024

Museum curator Marius Barbeau had been eyeing the totem pole for some time.

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 sits on a chair in the corner, whittling on his mop handle, like he’s turning it into a very thin totem pole.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman