A superstition is a belief that certain actions, objects, or events can magically cause good or bad luck, even though there's no logical reason why they would. Someone who believes that walking under a ladder brings bad luck, or that a rabbit's foot brings good fortune, is following a superstition.

Superstitions often develop when people notice a pattern that's really just coincidence. A baseball player might wear the same socks during a winning streak and become convinced the socks are lucky. A student might use the same pencil for every test and credit it for their good grades, rather than their studying.

Common superstitions include throwing salt over your shoulder after spilling it, avoiding black cats, or knocking on wood for good luck. Different cultures have their own superstitions: in some countries, the number 13 is considered unlucky, while in others it's the number 4.

The word can also describe the general tendency to believe in magical thinking. When someone is described as superstitious, it means they put faith in these kinds of beliefs. Many people recognize that superstitions aren't actually real, but some folks follow them anyway, sometimes just for fun or tradition. Scientists and researchers rely on evidence and testing rather than superstition to understand how the world works.