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

San Dieguito Academy High School has undergone numerous changes since the district learned about an incident this spring in which eight students formed a human swastika on the school field for a Jewish student to see while flying in a plane overhead. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025

Earlier this month, a swastika was spotted in the Capitol Hill office of Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

What Happens Next The investigation into the appearance of a swastika behind a congressional staffer is ongoing. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

The photo showed a screenshot from a video call with one of Taylor's staffers, with a swastika American flag in the background. —Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025

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"