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Definitions

totem

[toh-tuhm] / ˈtoʊ təm /
NOUN
pole
Synonyms


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.

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

"It is a totem of celebration for Chinese people and people around the world," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Michele Lamaro, the totem of the back-row, skipped a pass out to Tommaso Menoncello and a five-point lead became 12.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

It’s an indelibly amusing and heartbreaking totem, suggesting play and suffering, and eventually manifesting wounds both real and internalized.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

He took an ordinary stick of kindling from the box and smelled it and said, “Maple. Good!” and proceeded to make a neat little totem pole out of it.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen




Vocabulary lists containing totem


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