symmetry

noun sym·me·try \ ˈsi-mə-trē \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of symmetry

plural symmetries

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

See symmetry defined for English-language learners

See symmetry defined for kids

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of symmetry from the Web

The André Le Nôtre gardens at Versailles are justly famous, as are the Tuileries: Their formal boulevards have the kind of symmetry that stills a worried heart.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "A new show of French garden art at the Met explores the politics of verdant leisure spaces.," 13 Apr. 2018
There’s a litany of subtle design details and pleasing symmetries in this Huawei design that add up to create a positive first impression.

— vlad savov, The Verge, "Huawei P20 Pro review: style and substance," 6 Apr. 2018
The theory possesses a kind of mathematical symmetry that requires particles and antiparticles to be mirror opposites.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Atoms and antiatoms haven’t crashed Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity—yet," 4 Apr. 2018
According to Harvey, today's algorithms rely on identifying telltale human facial features, like the eyes or the bridge of the nose, in tandem with their spatial relationship, as well as symmetry, complexion tone, and skin texture.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "Yes, There's a Way to Outsmart Facial Recognition Technology—and It Comes Down to Your Makeup," 30 Mar. 2018
The surface is where the nice, regular array of nuclei stops, and the symmetry that gives us the two bands is broken.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Many rings, not one, create a laser to confound us all," 2 Feb. 2018
The stop-motion animation of Fantastic Mr. Fox (and later Isle of Dogs) gave Anderson essentially unlimited control over the aesthetic of each shot, and that film teems with parallel lines (take a look at Ash’s bedroom) and striking symmetries.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Wes Anderson’s Fastidious Whimsy Has Delighted Moviegoers for Decades," 5 Apr. 2018
That’s pretty much where the similarities and symmetry between Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic end.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: What's Causing Novak Djokovic's Downturn and When Will He Return to Form?," 28 Mar. 2018
Welcome them home As for spatial arrangement, balance and symmetry put everyone at ease.

— lisa marie hart, USA TODAY, "Take a fresh approach to updating your entire house," 25 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of symmetry

Latin symmetria, from Greek, from symmetros symmetrical, from syn- + metron measure — more at measure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

symmetry Synonyms

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

SYMMETRY Defined for English Language Learners

symmetry

noun

Definition of symmetry for English Language Learners

: 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

SYMMETRY Defined for Kids

symmetry

noun sym·me·try \ ˈsi-mə-trē \

Definition of symmetry for Students

plural symmetries

: 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

Medical Dictionary

symmetry

noun sym·me·try \ ˈsim-ə-trē \

medical Definition of symmetry

plural symmetries

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