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

For her, the helicopter and ECMO machine are more than emergency equipment but symbolized a second chance at life. — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

The event on Thursday also symbolized the lengths Republicans took to unseat Cleaver, Kansas City’s first Black mayor and one of Missouri’s most experienced lawmakers. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Observers said their trial symbolized the erosion of freedom of expression in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Nothing symbolizes that frustration more than this effort to rewrite the Maryland Constitution in pursuit of partisan gain. — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for symbolize

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

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