symbolism
a set or system of symbols.
symbolic meaning or character.
the principles and practice of symbolists in art or literature.
(initial capital letter) a movement of the late 19th century in French art and literature.: Compare symbolist (defs. 3b, 4b).
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.
Origin of symbolism
1Words Nearby symbolism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use symbolism in a sentence
Beyond the practical importance of a caregiving czar, the position would also carry great symbolism.
It’s unclear what effect the resolution will have beyond symbolism, given that the Virginia Department of Health is charged with enforcing the mandates, not local officials.
Rural Virginia county officials pass resolution rejecting ‘tyranny’ of governor’s coronavirus restrictions | Gregory S. Schneider | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostFoods eaten around the new year are rife with symbolism and often served to visiting friends and family.
These Chinese walnut cookies are buttery and crumbly, with a five-spice streusel filling | Hetty McKinnon | December 2, 2020 | Washington PostTo sweeten the symbolism, the oil and gas giant ExxonMobil had just been ejected from the Dow Jones index, marking the fossil fuel industry’s ignominious decline during the energy transition.
Tesla’s bumpy road to today’s stratospheric stock price | Michael J. Coren | September 25, 2020 | QuartzThere’s such powerful symbolism behind the cowry that tremendously moved me.
The fact that he was celebrating another loss for the star-crossed city of Detroit only enhances the symbolism.
But what he did was reasonably brave and freighted with all the symbolism of which he was well aware.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game | Michael Tomasky | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe exhibition also provides useful insight into the importance of symbolism, particularly when it comes to religious painting.
The move gets an “A” for symbolism and a “D” for everything else.
Sony Blames North Korea for Hacking, but Washington Left Them Completely Vulnerable | Gordon G. Chang | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSome critics complained that his symbolism was obscure and was lost on the audience.
The rude symbolism was softened and toned to an almost poetical refinement, and gave to the harmless revels a touch of Arcady.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete | Gilbert ParkerThis origin, as I have elsewhere endeavoured to show, is due largely to symbolism, which is merely another term for metaphor.
Archaic England | Harold BayleyThe authorities superstitious “custom” and it is probable that in symbolism may also be found the origin of totemism.
Archaic England | Harold Bayleysymbolism was undeniably a primitive mode of thinging thought or expressing abstract ideas by things.
Archaic England | Harold BayleyWe shall deal more fully with the cult and symbolism of the dog in a future chapter entitled “The Hound of Heaven”.
Archaic England | Harold Bayley
British Dictionary definitions for symbolism
/ (ˈsɪmbəˌlɪzəm) /
the representation of something in symbolic form or the attribution of symbolic meaning or character to something
a system of symbols or symbolic representation
a symbolic significance or quality
(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
theol any symbolist interpretation of the Eucharist
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse