Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
symbol (noun)1.
an authoritative summary of faith or doctrine - creed
2.
something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance , especially a visible sign of something invisible - the lion is a symbol of courage
3.
an arbitrary or conventional sign used in writing or printing relating to a particular field to represent operations, quantities, elements, relations, or qualities
4.
an object or act representing something in the unconscious mind that has been repressed - phallic symbols
5.
an act, sound, or object having cultural significance and the capacity to excite or objectify a response
- symbolize
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
symbol (noun)1.
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
SYNONIMS:
ensign, hallmark, impresa, logo, symbol, totem, trademarkRELATED WORDS:
attribute, icon ( ikon), pictograph; logogram, logograph; badge, coat of arms, cognizance, crest, insignia, monogram; colophon, stamp, token2.
a written or printed mark that is meant to convey information to the reader
SYNONIMS:
glyph, icon ( ikon), sign, symbolRELATED WORDS:
cipher, letter, numeral; hieroglyph, ideogram, pictogram, pictograph; rune