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

Instead of the assortment of products that had been previously featured on the site, there was only a T-shirt with the swastika imprinted on it. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025

The Chicago native’s Yeezy website was shut down by Shopify after selling a swastika T-shirt. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2025

The swastika was adopted by Germany's Nazi Party as its emblem in 1920 and is associated with Adolf Hitler. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025

Denver police have launched an investigation into a swastika symbol displayed since last week on Denver’s historic Austin Boulding along East Colfax Avenue, and leaders of the Anti-Defamation League are urging metro residents to take a stand against it. —Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 27 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"