symmetry

noun

sym·​me·​try ˈsi-mə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: balanced proportions
also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions
2
: the property of being symmetrical
especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry
3
: a rigid motion of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping onto itself
4
: the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow)
used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

the symmetry of the human body The building has perfect symmetry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other ensembles stood out for their symmetry: People wearing complementary diamond-quilt jackets, for example, or twin earmuffs. Simbarashe Cha, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 This beautiful, natural symmetry is typical of Schmitt’s work. Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025 In the past couple of years, mathematicians have come up with clever new constructions (opens a new tab) in dimensions 5, 10 and 11 by bending or breaking the usual symmetry rules. Quanta Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 For women who remain self conscious about the size or symmetry of their lips—think a slightly lopsided appearance, for instance—Botox can be injected into the orbicularis oris muscle along the lip line as an alternative to lip fillers. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for symmetry 

Word History

Etymology

Latin symmetria, from Greek, from symmetros symmetrical, from syn- + metron measure — more at measure

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of symmetry was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near symmetry

Cite this Entry

“Symmetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetry. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: balanced proportions
2
: close agreement in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or around a central point compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

Medical Definition

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis see bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry
2
: the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow)
used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

More from Merriam-Webster on symmetry

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