symbolism

[ sim-buh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character.
2. a set or system of symbols.
3. symbolic meaning or character.
4. the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.
5. (initial capital letter) a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature. Compare symbolist ( defs 3b, 4b ).
6. the use of any of certain special figures or marks of identification to signify a religious message or divine being, as the cross for Christ and the Christian faith.

symbolism

/ ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something
2. a system of symbols or symbolic representation
3. a symbolic significance or quality
4. often capital a late 19th-century movement in art that sought to express mystical or abstract ideas through the symbolic use of images See also synthetism
5. theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist

Word History and Origins

Origin of symbolism¹

First recorded in 1645–55; symbol + -ism

Example Sentences

Because I’ll admit, I didn't always understand the power of symbolism.

From Salon

Trump, as a White man, also possesses great meaning and power in the symbolism and historical meaning of his body and power.

From Salon

With the government's intent on stamping out the deadly habit, the resurgence of the cigarette - and the cigfluencers - may be more of a passing trend than a lasting cultural shift, particularly as its appeal is less about the act itself and more about the aesthetic and symbolism it represents.

From BBC

It's hard to know how Trump sees the symbolism of an MSG campaign event — it could just be that it's the ultimate New Yorker venue, it could be that he sees it as an act of threat and intimidation by showing strength in a traditional Democratic city, or it could be more menacing.

From Salon

The symbolism is quite strong on both sides of this election, and it highlights the contrast between the two candidates and two very different views of America's future: Trump's America is fascist; Harris' America is democratic.

From Salon

Related Words

• metaphor