totem pole
noun
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.
totem poles
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pluralof totem pole.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
His sculptures, composed of stacked forms and glazed in natural colors, bring to mind chimneys, duct work and totem poles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
Rath falsely claimed to be a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona and sold carved wooden totem poles, transformation masks and pendants to Seattle retail stores, the attorney’s office said.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 29, 2023
As a boy in Ketchikan, Alaska, Jackson Polys would help his father, the prominent Tlingit artist Nathan Jackson, carve totem poles behind rope stanchions while boatloads of tourists watched.
From New York Times ● Sep. 19, 2023
The path loops by the First Nations totem poles, a sandy beach and two playgrounds, with beautiful views of the Vancouver skyline and Lions Gate Bridge.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 9, 2023
Anybody who knew even the tiniest bit about totem poles knew that the most important was at the bottom.
From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson
