symbol

noun sym·bol \ ˈsim-bəl \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of symbol

1 : an authoritative summary of faith or doctrine : creed

2 : something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially : a visible sign of something invisible

the lion is a symbol of courage

3 : an arbitrary or conventional sign used in writing or printing relating to a particular field to represent operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities

4 : an object or act representing something in the unconscious mind that has been repressed

phallic symbols

5 : an act, sound, or object having cultural significance and the capacity to excite or objectify a response

See symbol defined for English-language learners

See symbol defined for kids

Examples of symbol in a Sentence

the traditional physician's symbol of a staff entwined with a snake
the symbol ¶ indicates where a new paragraph should begin

Recent Examples of symbol from the Web

Guns are hallowed symbols akin to the Stars and Stripes.

— ron grossman, chicagotribune.com, "The nation's divide over guns is a disturbing echo of the past," 11 June 2018
Coffee shops have long been symbols of gentrification, and upscale cafes are safer social spaces for certain demographic groups.

— diana budds, Curbed, "It’s time to take back third places," 31 May 2018
The guy next to me, who has a Sputnik tattoo on one forearm and an infinity symbol inked on the other, writes something in his notebook.

— sarah scoles, WIRED, "Why Darpa Wants Everyone to Launch Tiny Satellites," 30 May 2018
The Duke of Sussex has used the forget-me-not symbol in reference to his mother before.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "How Meghan Markle Honored Princess Diana With Her Wedding Bouquet," 19 May 2018
But sure enough, the 85-year-old justice has become an unlikely symbol — a pop-culture icon, even — known for increasingly plain speaking (especially for those on the left-hand side of the American divide) and big-picture perspective.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Q: What do Deadpool, RBG and the pope have in common? A: They all star in movies opening Friday.," 17 May 2018
And so the Republican Party's historic symbol made for a fascinating metaphorical mashup: the elephants in the room didn't want to talk about the elephants in the room.

— jonathan allen, NBC News, "Trump gets a pass from Senate Republicans," 15 May 2018
Illustrations to the right of the text include a rose, emblematic of the United States, which is adorned by two golden poppies, symbols of Markle's birthplace of California.

— jennifer lance, Glamour, "The Queen Just Formally Approved of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Marriage," 13 May 2018
Carrots in hand, the tourists approach the kangaroos, seeking a selfie with an Australian symbol that graces the country's coat of arms.

— will ziebell, Anchorage Daily News, "Carrot-craving kangaroos are attacking tourists in Australia," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'symbol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of symbol

in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together, compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

symbol Synonyms

Synonyms

emblem, ensign, hallmark, logo, totem, trademark;

Related Words

attribute, icon (also ikon), pictograph;

logogram, logograph;

badge, coat of arms, cognizance, crest, insignia, monogram;

colophon, stamp, token;

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

symbol

verb

Definition of symbol

symboled or symbolled; symboling or symbolling

: symbolize

Recent Examples of symbol from the Web

To me that demonstrated the central role that symbols play in the culture.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Why Americans Flocked to Catch a Glimpse of Hitler’s Car," 16 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of symbol

1832

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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SYMBOL Defined for English Language Learners

symbol

noun

Definition of symbol for English Language Learners

: an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality
: a letter, group of letters, character, or picture that is used instead of a word or group of words

SYMBOL Defined for Kids

symbol

noun sym·bol \ ˈsim-bəl \

Definition of symbol for Students

1 : something that stands for something else : emblem

The eagle is a symbol of the United States.

2 : a letter, character, or sign used instead of a word to represent a quantity, position, relationship, direction, or something to be done

The sign + is the symbol for addition.

Medical Dictionary

symbol

noun sym·bol \ ˈsim-bəl \

medical Definition of symbol

: something that stands for or suggests something else: as

a : an arbitrary or conventional sign used in writing or printing relating to a particular field to represent operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities

b : an object or act representing something in the unconscious mind that has been repressed