symmetry
the correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point; regularity of form or arrangement in terms of like, reciprocal, or corresponding parts.
the proper or due proportion of the parts of a body or whole to one another with regard to size and form; excellence of proportion.
beauty based on or characterized by such excellence of proportion.
Mathematics.
a geometrical or other regularity that is possessed by a mathematical object and is characterized by the operations that leave the object invariant: A circle has rotational symmetry and reflection symmetry.
a rotation or translation of a plane figure that leaves the figure unchanged although its position may be altered.
Physics. a property of a physical system that is unaffected by certain mathematical transformations as, for example, the work done by gravity on an object, which is not affected by any change in the position from which the potential energy of the object is measured.
Origin of symmetry
1synonym study For symmetry
Other words for symmetry
Opposites for symmetry
Other words from symmetry
- an·ti·sym·me·try, adjective, noun
- non·sym·me·try, noun, plural non·sym·me·tries.
Words Nearby symmetry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use symmetry in a sentence
Called the double pentagon, it is made by attaching two pentagons along a single edge and then gluing together parallel sides to create a two-holed doughnut with a rich collection of symmetries.
Mathematicians Report New Discovery About the Dodecahedron | Erica Klarreich | August 31, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThe four collaborators took advantage of these kinds of search efficiencies in a new way — in particular, they automated considerations about symmetries, where previous work had relied on mathematicians working practically by hand to deal with them.
Computer Search Settles 90-Year-Old Math Problem | Kevin Hartnett | August 19, 2020 | Quanta MagazineIn order to have structure in the universe, in order for us to exist, you also need to have this beautiful symmetry — that there’s no special observer.
Physicists then revealed the symmetries of elementary particles hidden within the elements’ atoms.
The complicated objects are often collections of mathematical objects — like numbers or symmetries — that stand in a particular structured relationship with each other.
The ‘Useless’ Perspective That Transformed Mathematics | Kevin Hartnett | June 9, 2020 | Quanta Magazine
But, he says, what ultimately makes a hat look good on a person is the symmetry of the crown of their head to their jaw line.
In a nice bit of symmetry, 56% of Democrats said that Bush should be impeached in July of 2007, according to a Rasmussen survey.
Somehow, finding a Jew to blame makes up sort of deep symmetry that allows people to comfort themselves that they have an answer.
Ron Rosenbaum on Hitler, Hollywood, and Quantifying Evil | William O’Connor | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe symmetry of their experiences only made her more determined to continue her journey.
Israel, Hamas, WhatsApp and Hacked Phones in the Gaza Psy-War | Itay Hod | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd he might very well have felt the power of such poetic symmetry.
Tupac and Murray Kempton: The Godfather Who Wore Tweed | Michael Daly | June 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIf now we turn to the higher aspects of form, such as symmetry and proportion, we encounter a difficulty.
Children's Ways | James SullyAmong the ladies of "gentle blood," however, there is more of the asserted aristocratic symmetry and beauty than among the men.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyThe cubicula were also defaced, their symmetry injured, and their construction endangered by similar imprudent excavations.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry WithrowHe had such a good sense of symmetry that his piles were always extremely neat.
Kari the Elephant | Dhan Gopal MukerjiWe perceive art in the arrangement of sentences, in the rhythm, in the symmetry of construction.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I | John Lord
British Dictionary definitions for symmetry
/ (ˈsɪmɪtrɪ) /
similarity, correspondence, or balance among systems or parts of a system
maths an exact correspondence in position or form about a given point, line, or plane: See symmetrical (def. 2)
beauty or harmony of form based on a proportionate arrangement of parts
physics the independence of a property with respect to direction; isotropy
Origin of symmetry
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for symmetry
[ sĭm′ĭ-trē ]
An exact matching of form and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a boundary, such as a plane or line, or around a central point or axis.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for symmetry
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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