symbol

American  

[sim-buhl] / ˈsɪm bəl /

noun

symbols plural

1. something used for or regarded as representing something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.

2. a letter, figure, or other character or mark or a combination of letters or the like used to designate something.

   the algebraic symbol x; the chemical symbol Au.

3. (especially in semiotics) a word, phrase, image, or the like having a complex of associated meanings and perceived as having inherent value separable from that which is symbolized, as being part of that which is symbolized, and as performing its normal function of standing for or representing that which is symbolized: usually conceived as deriving its meaning chiefly from the structure in which it appears, and generally distinguished from a sign.

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verb (used with object)

symboled, symboling, symbolled, symbolling

1. to use symbols; symbolize.

symbol British  

/ ˈsɪmbəl /

noun

1. something that represents or stands for something else, usually by convention or association, esp a material object used to represent something abstract

2. an object, person, idea, etc, used in a literary work, film, etc, to stand for or suggest something else with which it is associated either explicitly or in some more subtle way

3. a letter, figure, or sign used in mathematics, science, music, etc to represent a quantity, phenomenon, operation, function, etc

4. psychoanal the end product, in the form of an object or act, of a conflict in the unconscious between repression processes and the actions and thoughts being repressed

   the symbols of dreams

5. psychol any mental process that represents some feature of external reality

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verb

1. (tr) another word for symbolize

symbol Scientific  

/ sĭm′bəl /

1. A conventional, printed or written figure used to represent an operation, element, quantity, relation, unit of measurement, phenomenon, or descriptor.

2. Also called sign

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symbol ¹ Cultural  

1. An object or name that stands for something else, especially a material thing that stands for something that is not material. The bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America. The cross is a symbol of Christianity. The Star of David is a symbol of Judaism.

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symbol ² Cultural  

1. Something that represents or suggests something else. Symbols often take the form of words, visual images, or gestures that are used to convey ideas and beliefs. All human cultures use symbols to express the underlying structure of their social systems, to represent ideal cultural characteristics, such as beauty, and to ensure that the culture is passed on to new generations. Symbolic relationships are learned rather than biologically or naturally determined, and each culture has its own symbols.

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symbol Idioms  

1. see status symbol.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• symbols
  plural

Etymology

Origin of symbol

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin symbolum, from Greek sýmbolon “sign,” equivalent to sym- sym- ( def. ) + -bolon, neuter for bolḗ (feminine) “a throw, stroke, glance, blow”

Explanation

A symbol can be an object, shape, sign, or character used to represent something else. A flag is a symbol of a country. English teachers never tire of talking about symbols in literature. A pink ribbon is a symbol of breast-cancer awareness, and a yellow ribbon is a symbol of support for U.S. troops. In literature, authors use many symbols. A character doing even a small thing, like eating a cheeseburger, might symbolize something larger about that character. Something you need to be rich to have — like a limousine — is called a "status symbol." Anytime one thing seems to represent a deeper meaning, it's probably a symbol.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

symbol symbols symboled symbolled symbolling

He called for the Tartan Army to back England, arguing it would be "a symbol for the strength of Scottish self-confidence".

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was stalked by a crowd that carried red flags, a symbol of revenge, and called him dishonorable as he was pelted with an unknown object.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Svyrydenko said she had delivered "concrete results" in office and posted a photo of herself making a heart symbol with her hands during an address to parliament.

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

He was just a young man looking at a symbol of power and not caring much about who that power was used to subjugate.

From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026

She illuminates an Adinkra symbol and uses it to light her face.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Between 1918 and his assassination in 1948, Gandhi fasted repeatedly - against religious violence, caste discrimination and political discord - turning the empty plate into one of the defining symbols of India's freedom struggle.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

Materials, like symbols, are recycled across sculptures and tableaux in an inexhaustible loop.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

In this still‑life‑cum‑cosmos, Klee explores the stages of growth, the cycle of life and the evolution of symbols.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

But the organisers of what they've called the "event of the century" have tried to maximise other symbols.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

They appear so often because they are such important symbols; they tell you what note is found on each line and space of the staff.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Beware Of the symboled Curse in the Bondman there!

From The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers. Series 2 by Newell, R. H. (Robert Henry)

Gold stamens set in silver filigrane Reveal the treasures which we idolize; And all the cost of struggle for the prize Is symboled by a secret blood-red stain.

From A Distinguished Provincial at Paris by Marriage, Ellen

These cherubs symboled the joy of life, and when Allegri wished to sign his name, he drew a cherub.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 06 Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Artists by Hubbard, Elbert

Here is the chest, sealed with my signet-ring, A mystery and a treasure lies within, Whose worth is faintly symboled by these gems, Starring the case.

From The Poems of Emma Lazarus, Volume 2 Jewish poems: Translations by Lazarus, Emma

A pole diagonal—striped red, Teeth in their row in order strung, And pewter bason by them slung, Far in the street projecting stood— The pole with bandage symboled blood.

From Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered) by Gay, John

That with the earth symbolled forth sudden, or perhaps violent, death; that with the water, emigration or ship-wreck; while that with the ring, of course a wedding and domestic happiness.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

"Fyve wellys"—there symbolled trace, Hushing this mortal strife,— "Of pitty, merci, comfort, gracy, And everlastingh lyffe."

From The Strife of the Roses and Days of the Tudors in the West by Rogers, William Henry Hamilton

The public too should be sufficiently knowing to catch the code signals of each artist whereby these natural facts are symbolled.

From Pictorial Composition and the Critical Judgment of Pictures by Poore, Henry Rankin

The Word in truth is symbolled forth by that straight stem on which I hang.

From The Gnostic Crucifixion by Mead, G. R. S.

It was in my heart, and must have been symbolled in my countenance.

From The Bandolero A Marriage among the Mountains by Reid, Mayne

Be it the birthday wreath she wears Fresh and fair, and symbolling The young number of her years, The sweet blushes of her spring.

From Ballads by Thackeray, William Makepeace

Related Words

• badge
• design
• emblem
• figure
• image
• indication
• logo
• motif
• pattern
• token
• type