symmetry

noun

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sym·me·try | \ ˈsi-mə-trē

plural symmetries

Definition of symmetry

1 : balanced proportions also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions

2 : the property of being symmetrical especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis — compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

3 : a rigid motion of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping onto itself

4 : the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow) —used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

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Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

the symmetry of the human body The building has perfect symmetry.

Recent Examples on the Web This is Big Bend's marquee attraction, made famous by an Ansel Adams photograph that shows the fearsome symmetry of the limestone gorge. — Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, "Big Bend National Park Is One of the Most Remote Places in America — Here's How to See It," 25 Apr. 2021 In another nod to symmetry, four large palm trees on the waterside of the house mirror those at the entrance. — Lauren Beale, Forbes, "An $11.5 Million Gem Surfaces For Sale Among Florida’s Barrier Islands," 15 Apr. 2021 Fairview also is planning to open a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at St. Joseph's, and Olson said there is a certain symmetry in that. — Jeremy Olson, Star Tribune, "COVID-19 care winding down at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul," 14 Apr. 2021 This is what’s known as baseball symmetry, and if everything goes as the baseball gods plan, Schwarber and Pederson will have the exact same amount of home runs in 2021. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: What we’ve learned so far in 2021, including Tony La Russa’s sense of humor, Brent Seabrook’s lasting words and Jason Benetti’s broadcasting hat trick," 7 Mar. 2021 But Page was perturbed, because irreversibility would violate the fundamental symmetry of time. — Quanta Magazine, "The Most Famous Paradox in Physics Nears its End," 29 Oct. 2020 Luckily, we humans can make our own human-scale examples, so everyone can see and appreciate this lovely symmetry group. — George Hart, Scientific American, "Mathematical Impressions: An Exploration of Symmetric Structures [Video]," 22 Mar. 2013 The image wasn’t quite the same, but the symmetry was obvious. — BostonGlobe.com, "A decade ago, Rory McIlroy’s meltdown at the Masters led to my fight for equality in the workplace," 10 Apr. 2021 Although not strictly symmetrical, the home has a symmetry associated with classical architecture, said Tigelaar. — Rohan Preston, Star Tribune, "Northern Minnesota lake house is 'a home, not a cabin'," 2 Apr. 2021

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

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Last Updated

27 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Symmetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetry. Accessed 8 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for symmetry

symmetry

noun

English Language Learners Definition of symmetry

: the quality of something that has two sides or halves that are the same or very close in size, shape, and position : the quality of having symmetrical parts

See the full definition for symmetry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

symmetry

noun

sym·me·try | \ ˈsi-mə-trē

plural symmetries

Kids Definition of symmetry

: close agreement in size, shape, and position of parts that are on opposite sides of a dividing line or center : an arrangement involving regular and balanced proportions the symmetry of the human body

symmetry

noun

sym·me·try | \ ˈsim-ə-trē

plural symmetries

Medical Definition of symmetry

1 : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis — see bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

2 : the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow) —used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

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