swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswä-sti-kə 

 also  swä-ˈstē-

1

: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction

2

: a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

Examples of swastika in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Zechariah Mehler wanted to see the swastika for himself. —Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025

A week earlier, the neighborhood also witnessed a march by a small group of masked neo-Nazis waving swastika flags and chanting racist slurs. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025

But over the last year Clark made a number of controversial posts, including tweeting that the student who airdropped the swastika was Jewish. —Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Student athletes sue California school for comparing 'Save Girls' Sports' shirt to a swastika. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswäs-ti-kə 

 also  swä-ˈstē-kə

: a symbol in the form of a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right angles all in the same direction

Etymology

from a word in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) svastika "a symbol in the form of a cross with bent arms," from svasti "well-being"