shaman

noun

sha·​man ˈshä-mən How to pronounce shaman (audio)
ˈshā-,
 also  shə-ˈmän
plural shamans
1
: a priest or priestess who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events
2
: one who resembles a shaman
especially : high priest sense 3
shamanic
shə-ˈma-nik How to pronounce shaman (audio)
-ˈmä-
adjective

Examples of shaman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As the music plays, apparitions of shamans and African tribal dancers begin to mingle with the crowd. EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Increasingly sphinx-like over the years, Weir has fully grown into the role of a shaman in shorts. Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025 Even shamans who use traditional medicinal plants to treat illnesses direct HIV-positive patients his way. Adam Williams, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025 Others whispered that she had been wounded in a battle with an Indonesian shaman and disappeared into the mountains. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shaman

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Evenki (Tungusic language of Siberia) šamān

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaman was in 1698

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaman. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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