symmetry

noun

sym·​me·​try ˈsi-mə-trē 

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

Synonyms

• balance
• coherence
• concinnity
• consonance
• consonancy
• harmony
• orchestration
• proportion
• symphony
• unity

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

the symmetry of the human body

The building has perfect symmetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

What stayed with her was the symmetry in their stories. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 10 June 2025

Flos Chiara floor lamp Ferm Living desert 2-seater outdoor sofa Ferm Living symmetry mirror Ferm Living Olles storage table Hay Hay was founded in 2002 by a husband and wife team in Denmark and continues to be a leader in Scandinavian design. —Erika Owen, Vogue, 6 June 2025

Combined with Earth’s tilt, this throws off the figure eight’s north-south symmetry. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025

For a bedroom, select a single pendant light for moody overhead lighting, or flank your headboard with a pair to bring symmetry and chic after-hours lighting to your space. —Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing symmetry

• bilateral symmetry
• center of symmetry
• radial symmetry

Rhymes for symmetry

• altimetry
• asymmetry
• dosimetry
• calorimetry
• colorimetry
• supersymmetry

Kids Definition

symmetry

noun

sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē 

plural symmetries

1

: balanced proportions

2

: close agreement in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or around a central point compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

Medical Definition

symmetry

noun

sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē 

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