Symbols: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in a general context to represent objects, functions, or processes. Often found in cultural, mathematical, or linguistic settings.

• The heart is a symbol of love.
• Mathematics uses many symbols like +, -, and =.

Used to refer to individual letters, numbers, or other marks in writing systems, or to describe personas in literature and media.

• The password requires at least one special character.
• Harry Potter is a famous character in literature.

Used broadly to refer to indicators, marks, or symbols that give information, often in a public or practical context.

• The stop sign at the intersection is very clear.
• There were signs of a storm approaching.

Specific to specialized fields like music, mathematics, and logic to indicate particular operations, sounds, or ideas. Often technical and precise.

• Musical notation allows musicians to understand how to play a piece.
• Mathematical notation can vary between different countries.

Used for various items or images that stand for or represent something beyond their literal meaning, often in a general or broad sense.

• The heart shape is a symbol of love
• Different cultures have different symbols for peace

Used for objects or designs that specifically represent or stand for an organization, country, or idea in a formal and distinctive manner.

• The eagle is the national emblem of the United States
• Each sports team has its own unique emblem

Used for broader and more general instances of one thing standing in for another, often used in academic, artistic, or technical contexts.

• Maps are representations of geographic locations
• The artist’s painting is a representation of her feelings

Refers to widely recognized and enduring images or figures that represent a particular idea, often in technology, art, or popular culture.

• The Statue of Liberty is an icon of freedom
• The 'Save' icon on computers is usually represented by a floppy disk image

Used when referring to marks or signs that represent something else. Often seen in mathematics, maps, or written language.

• Mathematics uses symbols like +, -, and = to form equations
• On the map, different symbols indicate various landmarks

Refers to individual letters, numbers, or other written signs in a text. Also used to describe people or animals in stories.

• The password must include at least eight characters
• The main character in the book is a young detective

Denotes the written signs that represent sounds in a language. Used when talking about the alphabet or correspondence.

• The English alphabet has 26 letters
• She wrote a letter to her friend

Refers to vibrations that travel through the air and can be heard. Commonly used when talking about noise, music, or phonetics.

• The sounds of birds chirping in the morning are very soothing
• Each letter of the alphabet has its own sound