symmetry

noun sym·me·try \ ˈsi-mə-trē \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 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

In a kind of avian symmetry, those bright orange-bodied orioles continue to nibble at the oranges in the feeder by our back window.

— jerry shnay, Daily Southtown, "Shnay: June brings colorful birds to my yard," 11 June 2018
Seen on the likes of strong women like Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi, and more, the front bun defies the rules of symmetry and shape.

— refinery29.com, "The Ballerina Bun Is Dead, But You'll Love Its Cool Older Sister," 3 May 2018
Admired for its symmetry and classic cone shape, the volcano was named for a mythological fairy.

— jes aznar and russell goldman, New York Times, "A Volcano Known for Its Beauty Is Also a Killer," 25 Jan. 2018
The layout of the room dictated twin beds and created nice symmetry.

— sarah bray, House Beautiful, "How A Personalityless Spare Room Gets Ready For House Guests," 29 May 2014
The poetry of Heron Bay lies not in its logic and symmetry but in the sensuality of these principles as interpreted in porous, other worldly coral in a tropical setting.

— david netto, Town & Country, "Is Heron Bay in Barbados the Most Exquisite House in the World?," 4 May 2018
Symbolized by the scales, Libra is always seeking balance and symmetry.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "How Each Zodiac Sign Is Most Likely to Cheat in a Relationship," 30 Apr. 2018
There was some obvious symmetry in that moment, because Jenkins won the Wildcats a national championship two years ago, his last-second jumper toppling mighty North Carolina and delivering Wright’s first title.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "The Michael Jordan of Anywhere: Donte DiVincenzo Gives Villanova a Huge Spark at Perfect Time," 3 Apr. 2018
The platform’s supply-demand symmetry hadn’t arisen in a vacuum, but from an economy where housing price inflation and debt held by the young had met its match in record financial insecurity and isolation among the old.

— john benjamin, The New Republic, "Business Class," 14 May 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