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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing symmetry Learn More About symmetry

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web There’s a symmetry to them — one top prospect making his major league debut while another begins a path back from injury, hoping to be featured in Baltimore before long. — Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2022 Since Apple is all about symmetry, all four corners should get the same corner curvature. — Chris Smith, BGR, 22 Apr. 2022 The final vote in the Senate holds the possibility of a moment rich in symbolic symmetry: the first Black female vice president presiding as the first Black woman is confirmed to the Supreme Court. — Melanie Masonstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2022 When news of Hawkins’s death spread late Friday night, many noticed a brutal new symmetry in Grohl’s life. — Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2022 Lowe’s research shows a real symmetry between home improvement projects and pet ownership, both of which have boomed during the stay-at-home Covid era and seem to be continuing even as consumers start to emerge from their two-year hibernations. — Warren Shoulberg, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 This suggests a certain easy eye-for-an-eye symmetry in Mitch’s death. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Nov. 2021 The first, fussed over since the 1960s, is the strong charge-parity (CP) problem, which asks why the quarks and gluons that make up protons and neutrons obey a certain symmetry. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Oct. 2021 While there’s a certain symmetry in the Big 12 returning to 12 teams once expansion is complete and Texas and OU have moved on, there may be more to come. — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 8 Sep. 2021 See More

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.

Learn More About symmetry

Dictionary Entries Near symmetry

symmetrophobia

symmetry

symminct

Statistics for symmetry

Last Updated

21 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Symmetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetry. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for symmetry

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