Definition of: symbol

(sim′bəl) noun
1. Something chosen to stand for or represent something else, usually because of a resemblance in qualities or characteristics; an object used to typify a quality, abstract idea, etc.: The oak is a symbol of strength.
2. A character, mark, abbreviation, conventional sign, or letter indicating something, as a quantity in mathematics, a substance in chemistry, a planet or celestial body, a quality, operation, relationship, etc.
3. A confession of faith; creed.
4. The disguised representation of an unconscious trend involving a person, object, act, etc. See synonyms under EMBLEM, LETTER, MARK, SIGN, SIMILE. ♦ Homophone: cymbal. [<LL symbolum <Gk. symbolon a mark, token <symballein put together <syn- together + ballein throw]