totem pole

noun

1. a pole or post carved and painted with totemic figures, erected by Indians of the northwest coast of North America, especially in front of their houses.
2. a hierarchical system:

   the bureaucratic totem pole.

totem pole

noun

1. a pole carved or painted with totemic figures set up by certain North American Indians, esp those of the NW Pacific coast, within a village as a tribal symbol or, sometimes, in memory of a dead person

totem pole

1. Among some Native Americans , a pole on which totems are carved. The totem pole usually stands in front of a house or shelter.

Notes

A totem pole is thought of figuratively as a symbol (see also symbol ) of a hierarchy: “Where does she stand on the totem pole?”

Word History and Origins

Origin of totem pole¹

First recorded in 1875–80