symbolism

noun

sym·​bol·​ism ˈsim-bə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations: such as

a

: artistic imitation or invention that is a method of revealing or suggesting immaterial, ideal, or otherwise intangible truth or states

b

: the use of conventional or traditional signs in the representation of divine beings and spirits

2

: a system of symbols or representations

Examples of symbolism in a Sentence

The story was filled with religious symbolism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The result could be a World Cup whose political dramas and symbolisms are more prevalent than at any tournament in recent memory, even the last two in Russia and Qatar, nations that sustained questions over their human rights records. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The categories include judicial outcomes, criminal conduct and information and symbolism. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025

Beyond the symbolism of that surrender, bigger things are happening. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025

But the idea—the symbolism of this massive monument, perched on the edge of an angry sea in one of the remotest corners of the continent—stopped me in my tracks. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for symbolism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

symbolism

noun

sym·​bol·​ism ˈsim-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the art or practice of using symbols

2

: a system of symbols or representations

Medical Definition

symbolism

noun

sym·​bol·​ism ˈsim-bə-ˌliz-əm 

: the art or practice of using symbols especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible by means of visible or sensuous representations