plural symbols
1
: an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality
—often + of
The wearing of black clothing is often a symbol of mourning in Western cultures.
The lion is a symbol of courage.
The flag is a symbol of our country.
2
: a letter, group of letters, character, or picture that is used instead of a word or group of words
The company's symbol [=logo] is a red umbrella.
—usually + for"K" is the symbol for a strikeout in baseball.
"Cl" is the chemical symbol for chlorine.
"+" is the symbol for addition.
Cite this Entry
“Symbol.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/symbol. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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