CONCEPT SET FOR "SYMBOL"

CONCEPT SET 25 FOR "SYMBOL"

Definition: A symbol is an object, design, or letter(s) used to represent something.

Oxford English Mini Dictionary: 1. Something regarded as suggesting something. 2. A mark or sign with a special meaning. (1995, p 533)

Webster’s New World Dictionary: 1. An object used to represent something abstract; emblem. 2. A mark, letter, abbreviation, etc. standing for an object, quality, process, quantity, etc. (1972, p 752)

Samples for teaching "symbol":

Examples of "symbol" – justification of examples: The following examples are object, design, or letter(s) used to represent something.

In chemistry Lead can be written "Pb".
He gave her a yellow rose to symbolize their friendship and a red rose to symbolize their love.
He wore a white ribbon pinned to his shirt.
While taking notes she used the letters "nb" to represent the word "important".
A white dove symbolizes peace.
The Olympics use the symbol of five interlocking coloured rings to represent all countries coming together.

Non-examples of "symbol"—The following examples hold no evidence of objects, designs, or letter(s) being used to represent something else.

She wore a red sweater to the game.
He wrote her a note to ask her to the movies.
He looked at his timetable to see what class he had next.

Borderline examples of "symbol"—These examples show that symbols can infer a meaning, but might not hold true.

She went to The University of Victoria because she wore a sweatshirt with the letters "UVIC" written across the front.
While traveling in other countries, people will know she is from Canada by the Canadian flag sewn on her backpack.

Return to concepts directory

Return to home page