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.

---

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

symbol Idioms  

1. see status symbol.

---

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

In an era of British politics defined by fleeting tenure, the sound engineer at No. 10 Downing Street is a rare symbol of institutional continuity—and good looks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

By arming her mammies with revolvers, rifles and bullets, Saar turned a symbol of servility into one of militancy and power.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

The CJP quickly gained a huge following online, turning one of the most reviled insects into a symbol of defiance and resilience with 26 million followers on Instagram.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

"It's not a weight on our shoulders. It's only the symbol of a tradition inherited from our ancestors."

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

It’s probably cracked, possibly ruined, but I can’t tear my gaze from the symbol on the wall.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Activists historically have targeted courses during professional tournaments, sometimes calling them symbols of inequality or targeting their water use.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

But it is likely one giant bet on AI capital expenditures spread across multiple ticker symbols.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

Otero Alcantara, designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt and disturbing the public order.

From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 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 had different symbols embroidered on their robes to indicate their rank within the church.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

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

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

Chopin reached sublimity through sweet sounds; Crane attained the same heights through the sense of sight and words that symboled color, shapes and scenes.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 14 Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Musicians by Hubbard, Elbert

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

Nature's heart, with the spring joy put back and deadened, symboled the melancholy that had fallen upon Bridgeport.

From The Life of Phineas T. Barnum by Benton, Joel

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

Say, then, reader, is not every element of thought which can arise between a Christian and his Creator symbolled forth here in equal beauty and grandeur?

From Lands of the Slave and the Free Cuba, the United States, and Canada by Murray, Henry A.

Great are the symbols of being, but that which is symbolled is greater; Vast the create and beheld, but vaster the inward creator.

From The Optimist's Good Morning by Perin, Florence Hobart

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

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