icon

[ ahy-kon ]

noun

1. Digital Technology. a picture or symbol that appears on a screen and is used to represent a file, account, application, etc.:

   Tap the icon to download the app.

   Click the flag icon at the top of the web page to toggle the language to English.

2. Eastern Church. a representation of some sacred personage or event, such as Christ or a saint or the Resurrection, painted usually on a wood surface and venerated for its subject.
3. a person or thing that epitomizes for many people a value, an era, a community, etc:

   Blue jeans remain an American cultural icon, despite the outsourcing of their manufacture to other countries.

4. a person or thing that is revered or idolized:

   Elvis Presley is a cultural icon of the 20th century.

5. Semiotics. a sign or representation that stands for its object by virtue of a resemblance or analogy to it.
6. any picture, image, or other representation.

icon

/ ˈaɪkɒn /

noun

1. Alsoikon a representation of Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint, esp one painted in oil on a wooden panel, depicted in a traditional Byzantine style and venerated in the Eastern Church
2. an image, picture, representation, etc
3. a person or thing regarded as a symbol of a belief, nation, community, or cultural movement
4. a person regarded as a sex symbol or as a symbol of the latest fashion trends
5. a pictorial representation of a facility available on a computer system, that enables the facility to be activated by means of a screen cursor rather than by a textual instruction

icon

/ ī′kŏn′ /

1. In a graphical user interface, a picture on the screen that represents a specific file, directory, window, or program. Clicking on an icon will start the associated program or open the associated file, directory, or window.

icon

1. An image used in worship in the Eastern Orthodox Church and among other Christians (see also Christian ) of similar traditions. Icons depict Jesus , Mary , and the saints , usually in a severe, symbolic, nonrealistic way.

Word History and Origins

Origin of icon¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin īcon, from Greek eikṓn “figure, image, likeness”

Word History and Origins

Origin of icon¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek eikōn image, from eikenai to be like

Synonym Study

See image.

Example Sentences

He likened Clark’s skills to those of Johnny Mercer, the Tin Pan Alley icon who wrote “Moon River” and co-founded Capitol Records in 1942.

From Los Angeles Times

The Santo Niño entered Eastside infamy in 2020, when José Huizar, who then represented District 14, posted an image of the Catholic icon on social media hours before FBI agents raided the politico’s home.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s how I felt throughout September, as folks waited for Taylor Swift to Instagram her endorsement; as we waited to see if Beyoncé was “in” and possibly performing at the Democratic National Convention; as Bruce Springsteen, our icon of American essence, showed up for Kamala Harris too.

From Slate

More than 15 years after the death of heavy metal icon Ronnie James Dio, his widow and friends are continuing the fight against cancer on his behalf.

From Los Angeles Times

"To be on the same card as Mike Tyson is a pinch me moment for me. He’s a legend of the sport, an icon of the sport," Taylor says as her eyes light up at the mere mention of her hero.

From BBC

Related Words

• apotheosis
• avatar
• embodiment
• epitome
• incarnation
• manifestation
• personification
• quintessence
• representation
• symbol