superstition

noun

su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈsti-shən How to pronounce superstition (audio)
1
a
: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation
b
: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition
2
: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Examples of superstition in a Sentence

It is a common superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck. tales of superstition, witchcraft, and magic
Recent Examples on the Web January 19, 2024, 1 PM ET Few people have derived more profit from a colleague’s superstition than Tim Hallam, a former communications director for the Chicago Bulls. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2024 Healthcare to some degree did exist in the ancient world and medical advances were made, but treatment often revolved around dubious remedies, charms, and superstitions. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 The history behind leap years may be little known, but even more curious are the various traditions and superstitions surrounding the day. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024 Venus Williams doesn’t have any game-day rituals or superstitions. Lane Florsheim, WSJ, 20 Nov. 2023 There are lots of superstitions and traditions about leap day on the internet, and a few celebrations to look forward to IRL. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Feb. 2024 For which reason, the author who wanted—through his insurgent robots, striving for a soul—to protest against the mechanical superstition of our times, must in the end claim something which nobody can deny him: the honor that he was defeated. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 To bite into a coin, according to festive superstition, is to come into a year of wealth. Kamila Hrabchuk, Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2023 Out of superstition as well as grief, some choose to steer away from the tragedy rather than confront it head-on. Amy Qin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superstition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English supersticion, from Anglo-French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of superstition was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near superstition

Cite this Entry

“Superstition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superstition. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

superstition

noun
su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈstish-ən How to pronounce superstition (audio)
1
: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic
2
: an unreasoning fear of nature, the unknown, or God resulting from superstition
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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