symbolize

verb

sym·​bol·​ize ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized; symbolizing

transitive verb

1

: to serve as a symbol of

2

: to represent, express, or identify by a symbol

intransitive verb

: to use symbols or symbolism

symbolizer noun

Synonyms of symbolize

• represent

Examples of symbolize in a Sentence

She came to symbolize the women's movement in America.

the flag symbolizes our country

Recent Examples on the Web

Per the Japanese government, the ritual symbolizes the union of the couple and the joining of their families. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

The cuttlefish bone, meanwhile, symbolized the bird that had literally flown the coop. —Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Florida’s 2023 spring game — a 10-7 slog in Napier’s second season — led Lane Kiffin to troll the Gators on Twitter and symbolized the program’s struggles. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026

There is Tamara, a city where signs symbolize unobtainable meanings. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for symbolize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

symbolize

verb

sym·​bol·​ize ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized; symbolizing

: to serve as a symbol of

symbolization

ˌsim-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

symbolize

transitive verb

sym·​bol·​ize

variants also British symbolise

ˈsim-bə-ˌlīz 

symbolized also British symbolised; symbolizing also British symbolising

1

: to serve as a symbol of

2

: to represent, express, or identify by a symbol