totem

noun

to·​tem ˈtō-təm 

1

a

: an object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry

also : a usually carved or painted representation of such an object

b

: a family or clan identified by a common totemic object

2

: one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol

Did you know?

Totem Has Roots in an Algonquian Language

Totem comes to us from Ojibwa, an Algonquian language spoken by an American Indian people from the regions around Lake Superior. The most basic form of the word in Ojibwa is believed to be ote, but 18th-century English speakers encountered it as ototeman (meaning "his totem"), which became our word totem. In its most specific sense, totem refers to an emblematic depiction of an animal or plant that gives a family or clan its name and that often serves as a reminder of its ancestry. The term is also used broadly for any person or thing having particular emblematic or symbolic importance. The related adjective totemic describes something that serves as a totem, that depicts totems ("totemic basketry," for example), or that has the nature of a totem.

Synonyms

• emblem
• ensign
• hallmark
• impresa
• logo
• symbol
• trademark

Examples of totem in a Sentence

Private jets are a totem of success among extremely wealthy people.

the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country

Recent Examples on the Web

Rogan isn’t going away, nor is the format of big rambling podcasts or the challenge for Democrats that Rogan represents: the legion of men for which the podcaster functions as a totem and that the party needs to eventually figure out how to communicate with. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

An architectural totem of culture and community that bridges the divide between resident and neighbor in a way that the porch (or worse—terrace) simply cannot. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2024

In the week since Payne’s death, fans have turned the site of his passing into a makeshift shrine, laying candles, teddy bears, photos and other totems around the hotel entrance. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

In 1892, French soldiers looted a number of totems and treasures from the West African kingdom of Dahomey, considering these items the spoils of victory after winning the Second Franco-Dahomean War. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Ojibwa oto·te·man his totem

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing totem

• low man on the totem pole
• totem pole

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

totem

noun

to·​tem ˈtōt-əm 

1

: an object (as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan

2

: something usually carved or painted to represent a totem

totemic

tō-ˈtem-ik

adjective