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

• totem pole 1

Examples of totem pole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While some of the Panthers’ seven draft picks will serve primarily as depth and special teams cogs, the likes of Freeling, Lee Hunter, Chris Brazzell II and Sam Hecht could end up pushing their new teammates down or off the roster totem pole. —Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026

In Orange County, Verbeek rests atop the totem pole. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026

Native American collectibles at museum sale The Heritage of the Americas Museum holds an estate sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 11 featuring Native American collectibles, including stained glass, leatherwork, beading, totem poles, figurines and dream catchers. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

As Americans are barely getting by because of inflation, tariffs, and a cost-of-living crisis, saving for retirement can feel like the priority lowest on the totem pole. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for totem pole

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole

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