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

What happens to the eight students who formed the human swastika is under wraps so far, but what happened to SDUHSD employees Dolnik and Adams is not. —Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 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

The culprit drew a swastika and wrote derogatory language toward the LGBTQ+ community, according to images released by Long Beach Pride. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 23 Sep. 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"