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

Teslas have been set ablaze with Molotov cocktails, riddled with bullets and defaced with swastikas. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025

Just a couple of days later, multiple Tesla vehicles at the showroom were spray-painted with swastikas. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

Last month, Ye infamously added to his years of antisemitic antics by dubbing himself a Nazi, praising Hitler and even selling shirts emblazoned with swastikas. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025

In Lynnwood, Washington, six Tesla vehicles were vandalized on March 11, including one that was defaced with swastikas. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 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"