totem pole

noun

plural totem poles
1
: a pole or pillar carved and painted with a series of totemic symbols representing family lineage and often mythical or historical incidents and erected by Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of North America
2
: an order of rank : hierarchy
the people at the bottom/top of the totem pole
As low man on the totem pole [=the least important or least powerful person] I had to clean out the grease trap …—David Brooks

Illustration of totem pole

Illustration of totem pole
  • totem pole 1

Examples of totem pole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tremble, Sanders and Evans are the first three guys on the tight end totem pole. — Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026 If Brunson can join Towns at the top of the totem pole, the Knicks won’t be easy to beat. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 The totem poles associated with Northwest Coast tribes are renowned throughout the world. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Blessedly, boatmance stuff is at the bottom of the totem pole of relevant storylines, at least for now, with Luke poised to cause some trouble. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for totem pole

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of totem pole was in 1880

Rhymes for totem pole

See All Rhymes for totem pole

Browse Nearby Words

totemite
totem pole
toter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Totem pole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totem%20pole. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

totem pole

noun
: a pole carved and painted with symbols of totems and set up by Indigenous people of the northwest coast of North America

More from Merriam-Webster on totem pole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about totem pole

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