talisman
noun
tal·is·man
ˈta-ləs-mən 
-ləz-
plural talismans
1
: an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune
2
: something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects
Did you know?
The English language may have borrowed talisman from French, Spanish, or Italian; all three include similar-looking words for a lucky charm that derive from an Arabic word for a charm, ṭilsam. Ṭilsam traces to ancient Greek telein, which means "to initiate into the mysteries."
Synonyms
Examples of talisman in a Sentence
a pendant of white nephrite jade is often worn by Indians as a talisman to ward off heart disease
Recent Examples on the Web
Another key feature are monkeys; over 140 statues of primates adorn rooftops and gateposts, and much like the Testa di Moro pottery that came to define Season 2, monkeys are the new talisman for the mischief unfolding beneath their treetop perch.
—
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Historians speculate that cowrie shells were viewed as a talisman to resist enslavement.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 21 Jan. 2025
In many ways, Reber has become inextricable from Lynch’s fandom; her home is an emotional nexus and unofficial museum, teeming with talismans and pieces of art that patrons have left for Laura and Reber over the years.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Neymar, the talisman for the whole enterprise, was tarred with the same brush.
—Jack Lang, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for talisman 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Historians speculate that cowrie shells were viewed as a talisman to resist enslavement.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 21 Jan. 2025
In many ways, Reber has become inextricable from Lynch’s fandom; her home is an emotional nexus and unofficial museum, teeming with talismans and pieces of art that patrons have left for Laura and Reber over the years.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Neymar, the talisman for the whole enterprise, was tarred with the same brush.
—Jack Lang, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for talisman
Dictionary Entries Near talisman
Cite this Entry
“Talisman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talisman. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
talisman
noun
tal·is·man
ˈtal-ə-smən
-əz-mən
plural talismans
: a ring or stone carved with symbols and believed to have magical powers : charm
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share