Definitions for symbol
ˈsɪm bəlsym·bol

Princeton's WordNet(3.83 / 11 votes)Rate this definition:

1. symbol(noun)

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

2. symbol, symbolization, symbolisation, symbolic representation(noun)

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

   "the eagle is a symbol of the United States"

Wiktionary(3.22 / 9 votes)Rate this definition:

1. symbol(Noun)

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

2. symbol(Noun)

   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. symbol(Noun)

   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. symbol(Noun)

   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. symbol(Noun)

   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. symbol(Verb)

   To symbolize

Wikipedia(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Symbol(noun)

   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. Symbol(noun)

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

3. Symbol(noun)

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

4. Symbol(noun)

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

5. Symbol(noun)

   share; allotment

6. Symbol(noun)

   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. Symbol(verb)

   to symbolize

Freebase(3.85 / 7 votes)Rate this definition:

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(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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 symballein—syn, together, ballein, to throw.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. symbol

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

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. symbol

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

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

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

How to pronounce symbol?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

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. Narendra Modi:

   The memorandum we signed on civil nuclear energy cooperation is more than just an agreement for commerce and clean energy, it is a shining symbol of a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause of peaceful and secure world, i know the significance of this decision for Japan and I assure you that India deeply respects that decision and will honour our shared commitment.

2. Petro Poroshenko:

   I have here part of the Volnovakha bus with the hits of the fragments of the Russian missiles which are hitting my people. It is a symbol of the terrorist attack against my country.

3. C. S. Lewis:

   I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern.

4. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

   Doubtless criticism was originally benignant, pointing out the beauties of a work rather that its defects. The passions of men have made it malignant, as a bad heart of Procrustes turned the bed, the symbol of repose, into an instrument of torture.

5. Chumani Maxwele:

   This is just a symbol of white racism, of institutional racism, and it must be removed.

Images & Illustrations of symbol

Popularity rank by frequency of use