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# symbol

«symbol» in Mova's school dictionary: **a sign, shape or picture that stands for something else:…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (symbol, symbols)

### meaning for a pupil

1) A symbol is a sign, shape or picture that stands for something else: + means add, a red heart means love. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#m1)

2) A symbol can be an object or idea that represents something bigger: the dove is a symbol of peace. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#m2)

3) In science, a chemical symbol is the short letter name for an element: O for oxygen. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In maths, symbols are everywhere: +, −, ×, ÷, =, <, >, %, π, and letters standing for unknown numbers. In science, chemical symbols (H, O, Fe) and map symbols; in geography, map keys explain symbols (a cross for a church, blue lines for rivers). In safety, warning symbols show danger: a skull for poison, a flame for flammable, a lightning bolt for electricity. In stories, symbols carry hidden meaning. Phrases: a symbol of, stands for, map symbol, chemical symbol, warning symbol.

### examples

- The symbol + means add. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x1)
- The < symbol means «less than»: 3 < 5. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x2)
- On the map, a blue P is the symbol for parking. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x3)
- A skull and crossbones is a symbol for poison. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x4)
- The dove is a symbol of peace. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x5)
- The chemical symbol for gold is Au. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x6)
- The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x7)
- Look at the key to find out what each symbol means. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x8)
- Thus running up the hillside, his teeth chattering all the way, he drew near to Inyan, the sacred symbol. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/#x9)

### note

Countable: symbols. Do not confuse with «cymbal», a brass musical instrument — they sound the same. Maths trap: the small end of < or > points to the smaller number. Adjective: symbolic; verb: symbolise (UK) / symbolize (US).

### In the corpora

- [Warning symbols on bottles show if a product is corrosive, toxic, flammable or harmful.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/114-bags-medicines-and-chemicals/11/)
- [Warning signs on a bottle, like a hazard symbol, mean the product can harm you.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/220-bleach-and-cleaning-products/13/)
- [The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower and became a symbol of support and hope around the world.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/politics/25-ukraine-refugees-aid-sanctions-and-childrens-lives/17/)
- [The dove and the olive branch became symbols of peace and new beginnings.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/religion-ethics/3-noah-and-the-tower-of-babel/10/)
- [The cross was once a cruel Roman punishment and became the main Christian symbol of love and hope.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/religion-ethics/18-the-last-supper-and-the-crucifixion/18/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «symbol» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/symbol/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.