Superstition definition

so͝opər-stĭshən
superstitions
See word origin
Frequency:
Any belief, based on fear or ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is considered as true and rational; esp., such a belief in charms, omens, the supernatural, etc.
noun
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A belief, not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, that future events may be influenced by one's behaviour in some magical or mystical way.
noun
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Any action or practice based on such a belief.
noun
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An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
noun
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Superstition is a belief based on fear or ignorance and not on the laws of science.

An example of superstition is thinking it's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

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A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.
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A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
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Such beliefs collectively.
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Idolatry.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
superstition
Plural:
superstitions

Origin of superstition

  • Middle English supersticion from Old French superstition from Latin superstitiō superstitiōn- from superstes superstit- standing over stā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Superstition Sentence Examples

  • He had fits of superstition which in healthier moments he despised.

  • This superstition dominated Scotland.

  • The young king regarded him with an affection which the superstition of the time attributed to witchcraft.

  • The old Hebrew prohibition of graven images was surely based on a like superstition, so far as it was not merely due to the physical impossibility for nomads of heavy statues that do not admit of being carried from camp to camp and from pasture to pasture.

  • He had made a copy of St Paul's epistles and committed them to memory, and from this arsenal of Scripture he attacked the unrighteousness of the state no less than the superstition of the Church.

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