What does symbol mean?

Definitions for symbol
ˈsɪm bəlsym·bol

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word symbol.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. symbolnoun

    an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

  2. symbol, symbolization, symbolisation, symbolic representationnoun

    something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible

    "the eagle is a symbol of the United States"

Wiktionary

  1. symbolnoun

    A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.

  2. symbolnoun

    Any object, typically material, which is meant to represent another (usually abstract) even if there is no meaningful relationship.

    The dollar symbol has no relationship to the concept of currency or any related idea.

  3. symbolnoun

    A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.

  4. symbolnoun

    A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.

    The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.

  5. symbolnoun

    Visible traces or impressions, made using a writing device or tool, that are connected together and/or are slightly separated. Sometimes symbols represent objects or events that occupy space or things that are not physical and do not occupy space.

  6. symbolverb

    To symbolize

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. SYMBOLnoun

    Etymology: symbole, French; σύμϐολον; symbolum, Latin.

    Beginning with the symbol of our faith, upon that the author of the gloss enquires into the nature of faith. Thomas Baker.

    Salt, as incorruptible, was the symbol of friendship; which, if it casually fell, was accounted ominous, and their amity of no duration. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours.

    Words are the signs and symbols of things; and as, in accounts, ciphers and figures pass for real sums, so words and names pass for things themselves. Robert South, Sermons.

    The heathens made choice of these lights as apt symbols of eternity, because, contrary to all sublunary beings, though they seem to perish every night, they renew themselves every morning. Joseph Addison, on ancient Medals.

Wikipedia

  1. Symbol

    A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas, or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a blue line might represent a river. Numerals are symbols for numbers. Alphabetic letters may be symbols for sounds. Personal names are symbols representing individuals. A red rose may symbolize love and compassion. The variable 'x', in a mathematical equation, may symbolize the position of a particle in space. The academic study of symbols is semiotics. In cartography, an organized collection of symbols forms a legend for a map.

ChatGPT

  1. symbol

    A symbol is a mark, sign, or object that represents or stands for something else, often an idea, concept, or message. This could be a physical object, a word, a mathematical equation, a sound, a color, or an image. Symbols are widely used in various fields such as literature, art, math, communication and science, and they play important roles in culture, religion, and social identity. They help in conveying complex thoughts, emotions or concepts in a simplified manner.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Symbolnoun

    a visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience

  2. Symbolnoun

    any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation

  3. Symbolnoun

    an abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion

  4. Symbolnoun

    that which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty

  5. Symbolnoun

    share; allotment

  6. Symbolnoun

    an abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element

  7. Symbolverb

    to symbolize

Wikidata

  1. Symbol

    A symbol is an object that represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, belief, action, or material entity. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, or visual images and are used to convey ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for numbers. Personal names are symbols representing individuals. A red rose symbolizes love and compassion. In cartography, an organized collection of symbols forms a legend.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Symbol

    sim′bol, n. a sign by which one knows a thing: an arbitrary or other conventional mark, abbreviating methods of scientific expression, as in algebra, and esp. chemistry: an emblem: that which represents something else: a figure or letter representing something: (theol.) a creed, compendium of doctrine, or a typical religious rite, as the Eucharist.—adjs. Symbol′ic, -al, pertaining to, or of the nature of, a symbol: representing by signs: emblematic: figurative: typical.—adv. Symbol′ically.—ns. Symbol′icalness; Symbol′ics, the study of the history and contents of Christian creeds; Symbolisā′tion.—v.i. Sym′bolise, to be symbolical: to resemble in qualities.—v.t. to represent by symbols.—ns. Sym′boliser, Sym′bolist, one who uses symbols; Sym′bolism, representation by symbols or signs: a system of symbols: use of symbols: (theol.) the science of symbols or creeds.—adjs. Symbolist′ic, -al.—ns. Symbol′ogy, Symbolol′ogy, the art of representing by symbols; Symbolol′atry, undue veneration for symbols; Sym′bolry, the use of symbols generally. [Gr. symbolon, from symballeinsyn, together, ballein, to throw.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

  1. symbol

    In a military sense, a badge. Every regiment in the British service has its badge.

Editors Contribution

  1. symbol

    A person, visual sign or concept that describes an action, belief, vision or quality.

    Some people see the dove as a universal symbol of peace, some people are used as a symbol of peace e.g. Nelson Mandela.


    Submitted by MaryC on June 19, 2016  

Suggested Resources

  1. symbol

    Song lyrics by symbol -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by symbol on the Lyrics.com website.

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British National Corpus

  1. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'symbol' in Nouns Frequency: #1363

How to pronounce symbol?

How to say symbol in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of symbol in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of symbol in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of symbol in a Sentence

  1. Aberjhani:

    “A river is nearly the ultimate symbol for the very essence of change itself. It flows unceasingly from one point of being to another, yet continuously occupies the same bed or pathway, and accommodates life’s endings with the same musical grace with which it accommodates life’s beginnings, along with all the muted and explosive moments that surface between the two extremes.”

  2. John Burroughs:

    The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life. . . . The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are realised in their free, holiday-lives -- and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song

  3. Maria Carolina Delgado-Lelievre:

    High blood pressure is not [ just ] a number. The number is a guide, it's a symbol, it's telling us your vessels all over the body are not working as they should.

  4. Keila Padovese Armelin:

    To me it's a positive symbol of my heritage.

  5. Joko Widodo:

    This is to protect both those who want to criticize ... and also the president as a symbol of the nation in the long term, not just me.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

symbol#1#3244#10000

Translations for symbol

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"symbol." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/symbol>.

Discuss these symbol definitions with the community:

2 Comments
  • Kevin Agee
    Kevin Agee
    What does #@ mean in text?
    LikeReply8 years ago
  • Dhananjay Vishwakarma
    Dhananjay Vishwakarma
    (:) what mean.
    LikeReply9 years ago

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