SYMBOL (symbolled, symbolling)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: symbolled    , symbolling   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does symbol mean? 

• SYMBOL (noun)
  The noun SYMBOL has 2 senses:

1. an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

2. something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible

  Familiarity information: SYMBOL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SYMBOL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("symbol" is a kind of...):

sign; signal; signaling (any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "symbol"):

variable (a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity)

identifier (a symbol that establishes the identity of the one bearing it)

mark; marker; marking (a distinguishing symbol)

icon ((computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface)

staff (a rod carried as a symbol)

Crown (the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy)

mantle (the cloak as a symbol of authority)

impression; stamp (a symbol that is the result of printing or engraving)

monogram (a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing)

dollar; dollar mark; dollar sign (a symbol of commercialism or greed)

printed symbol; written symbol (a written or printed symbol)

pound; pound sign (a symbol for a unit of currency (especially for the pound sterling in Great Britain))

lingam (the Hindu phallic symbol of Siva)

symbolism (a system of symbols and symbolic representations)

number; numeral (a symbol used to represent a number)

nose (a symbol of inquisitiveness)

type (all of the tokens of the same symbol)

item; token (an individual instance of a type of symbol)

brand; mark; stain; stigma (a symbol of disgrace or infamy)

accolade; award; honor; honour; laurels (a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction)

stock symbol (the letters used to identify listed companies on the securities exchanges where they are traded)

Derivation:

symbolic; symbolical (relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols)

symbolise; symbolize (express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

symbol; symbolic representation; symbolisation; symbolization

Context example:

the eagle is a symbol of the United States

Hypernyms ("symbol" is a kind of...):

representational process (any basic cognitive process in which some entity comes to stand for or represent something else)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "symbol"):

cornucopia; horn of plenty (a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity)

death's head (a human skull (or a representation of a human skull) used as a symbol of death)

oriflamme (an inspiring symbol or ideal that serves as a rallying point in a struggle)

white feather (a symbol of cowardice)

allegory; emblem (a visible symbol representing an abstract idea)

crossbones (two crossed bones (or a representation of two crossed bones) used as a symbol danger or death)

Derivation:

symbolic; symbolical (serving as a visible symbol for something abstract)

symbolical (relating to or using or proceeding by means of symbols)

symbolise; symbolize (express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol)

 Context examples 

The symbol used to represent a linking of separate elements.

(Concatenation Character, NCI Thesaurus)

To Martin this withered wisp of a creature was a symbol.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

A unique symbol that establishes identity of the package.

(Package Identifier with Attribute Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)

A unique symbol that establishes identity of the organization.

(Organization Identifier with Attribute Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)

The names and symbols of some of the units thus formed can be replaced by special names and symbols which can themselves be used to form expressions and symbols of other derived units.

(Derived Unit of International System of Units, NCI Thesaurus)

For many UniProt records, this field is the gene symbol for the specified gene_product.

(Enhanced Symbol, NCI Thesaurus)

Any single letter, number, or symbol.

(Character, NCI Thesaurus)

A unique symbol that establishes identity of the biologic entity.

(Biologic Entity Identifier with Attribute Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)

A unique symbol that establishes the identity of an image.

(Performed Imaging Image Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)

A unique symbol that establishes identity of an activity.

(Activity Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)