totem
noun
a natural object or an animate being, as an animal or bird, assumed as the emblem of a clan, family, or group.
totems
-
pluralof totem.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.
None of their totems turned up in the way we know they can.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
A pair of blue totems from 2016 are built upon an amalgamation of numerous smaller objects, the process and monochromatic finish indebted to Louise Nevelson.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Turner, who died Wednesday at age 87, elbowed his way to the forefront of modern television by prioritizing profit over deeper questions about whether certain cultural totems should be held sacrosanct.
From Salon ● May 8, 2026
In his work exist iconic signs of beloved local establishments — like the Playpen — the blinding glint reflecting off downtown’s skyline, telephone poles regarded as totems.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
We take the subway to parts of the city we’ve never been to and walk the neighborhoods for hours, combing through the sidewalk clearance bins for important pieces, amulets, future totems of the city.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
