an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible
"the eagle is a symbol of the United States"
A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
"The dove serves as a powerful symbol of peace in many cultures."
In plain English: A symbol is an object, word, or image that stands for something else with a special meaning.
"The dove is often used as a symbol of peace."
Usage: Use symbol to refer to any mark, letter, number, word, picture, or gesture that stands for something else by convention rather than literal resemblance. Distinguish it from sign when the representation relies on learned agreement instead of natural association.
To symbolize.
"The dove released by the peace activists served as a powerful symbol of hope for those weary from years of conflict."
In plain English: To symbol is to represent something else using a sign, gesture, or action.
"The artist used red paint to symbol love in her painting."
The word symbol comes from the Latin symbolus, which originally referred to a sign, mark, or token used as proof of identity. It traveled into English via French, retaining its core meaning of an outward sign that represents something else.