swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswä-sti-kə 

also swä-ˈstē-

1

: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction

2

: a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

Examples of swastika in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One incident cited in the complaint at Campbell Union High School District sparked national outrage in December after six students at Branham High formed a human swastika on the school’s football field and posted it on social media with a quote from Adolf Hitler. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

The swastika came to represent Germany’s genocidal right-wing fascist movement under Adolf Hitler in the 1930s and ’40s. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026

And in a third incident in western Connecticut, Sobel said a 15-year old found a swastika etched into his locker. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026

One filing claimed that the musician wore a shirt with a swastika on it and said that Kardashian was controlled by Jewish people. —Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswäs-ti-kə 

also swä-ˈstē-kə

: a symbol in the form of a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right angles all in the same direction

Etymology

from a word in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) svastika "a symbol in the form of a cross with bent arms," from svasti "well-being"