noun
symbol
SIM-bul/ˈsɪmbl/
A sign, image, or object that stands for something else.
The bicycle symbol represents the real bicycle parked beneath it.
Etymology
“Throwing together” developed into comparing things, then into a token used to establish genuineness. Such a token served as an identifying sign, leading to the meaning of something that represents something else.
In context
a dashiki represents. It is a vibrant loose- fitting shirt that has become a symbol of African pride and identity.
More examples
- The map uses a tent symbol to mark each campground.
- In this equation, the symbol x stands for an unknown number.
- Their wedding rings are symbols of their commitment.
Forms
symbol · symbols
symbolize verb — To stand for or represent something else.
symbolic adjective — Serving as a symbol of something else.
Similar words
- sign
- Often conveys information directly rather than representing a broader idea.
- emblem
- Usually a recognizable design representing a group, nation, or cause.
- representation
- Broader term that includes detailed depictions, models, and descriptions.