pictograph

[ pik-tuh-graf, -grahf ]
See synonyms for: pictographpictographic on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a pictorial sign or symbol.

  2. a record consisting of pictorial symbols, as a prehistoric cave drawing or a graph or chart with symbolic figures representing a certain number of people, cars, factories, etc.

Origin of pictograph

1
1850–55; <Latin pict(us) painted (see picture) + -o- + -graph

Other words from pictograph

  • pic·to·graph·ic [pik-tuh-graf-ik], /ˌpɪk təˈgræf ɪk/, adjective
  • pic·to·graph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby pictograph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pictograph in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pictograph

pictograph

/ (ˈpɪktəˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf) /


noun
  1. a picture or symbol standing for a word or group of words, as in written Chinese

  2. a chart on which symbols are used to represent values, such as population levels or consumption

Origin of pictograph

1
C19: from Latin pictus, from pingere to paint

Derived forms of pictograph

  • pictographic (ˌpɪktəˈɡræfɪk), adjective
  • pictography (pɪkˈtɒɡrəfɪ), noun

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