symbolism

American  

[sim-buh-liz-uhm] / ˈsɪm bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.

2. a set or system of symbols.

3. symbolic meaning or character.

4. the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.

5. (initial capital letter) a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature.

6. the use of any of certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message or divine being, as the cross for Christ and the Christian faith.

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symbolism British  

/ ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something

2. a system of symbols or symbolic representation

3. a symbolic significance or quality

4. (often capital) a late 19th-century movement in art that sought to express mystical or abstract ideas through the symbolic use of images See also synthetism

5. theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist

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Etymology

Origin of symbolism

First recorded in 1645–55; symbol + -ism

Example Sentences

"I think the symbolism of the royal yacht arriving into Galway Bay is not good," he said, with "good" replacing the crossed-out word "great".

From BBC

This kind of symbolism works because "without even giving a speech, you are undermining the authoritarian script".

From BBC

Outcomes are judged not only by use value, but by theater—surprise, symbolism, presentation.

From The Wall Street Journal

The incident has prompted discussion across social media and news outlets about how identity, representation and symbolism intersect in federal institutions.

From Salon

With little left besides memories for those who lost houses in the fire, chimneys — the only architectural feature left intact at many homes — contain new layers of symbolism.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• metaphor