Definition of symbol

• n. - A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
• n. - Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.
• n. - An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.
• n. - That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
• n. - Share; allotment.
• n. - An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element.
• v. t. - To symbolize.