Definitions for symbol
ˈsɪm bəlsym·bol

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

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(3.22 / 9 votes)Rate this definition:

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

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. 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

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.

Matched Categories

1. • Signal

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

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

How to pronounce symbol?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Bill Morneau:

   We don't see this as a symbol of the way to get things done in this country.

2. Emperor Naruhito:

   I hereby proclaim my enthronement to those at home and abroad, i hereby swear that I will act according to the constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always praying for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world as I stand with the people.

3. David Allen Turpin:

   I offer Ivan Trahan this ring as a symbol of my love, baby baby.

4. Alia Malak:

   After its theft of Palestinian land and culture, Israel is now trying to appropriate a symbol of our nonviolent resistance, this desperate and crude propaganda is straight out of apartheid South Africa's playbook.

5. Justin Rohrwasser:

   I got that tattoo when I was a teenager and I have a lot of family in the military and I thought it stood for a military support symbol at the time, it just evolved into something I do not want to represent. When I look back on it, I should have done way more research before I put any mark or symbol like that on my body.

Popularity rank by frequency of use