logogram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Academic, technical, linguistic
Quick answer
What does “logogram” mean?
A written character or symbol that represents a whole word or phrase, rather than just a sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A written character or symbol that represents a whole word or phrase, rather than just a sound.
In computing, a specific symbol or icon used in a particular system (e.g., in early word processors or for data encoding). More broadly, any sign that directly represents a concept or object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slight preference for 'logograph' as an alternative term in UK academic texts.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “logogram” in a Sentence
NOUN + of + NOUN (a logogram of the sun)ADJ + logogramlogogram + for + NOUN (a logogram for 'eternity')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “logogram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- logographic writing
- a logographic system
American English
- logographic script
- logographic representation
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of branding or international communication symbols.
Academic
Standard term in linguistics, archaeology, history of writing, and sinology.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in typography, character encoding (Unicode), and semiotics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “logogram”
- Using 'logogram' to mean any ancient symbol (it must represent language).
- Confusing it with 'pictogram' (which is picture-based but not necessarily tied to a specific word).
- Pronouncing it /ˈlɒɡ.əʊ.ɡræm/ (with a distinct 'oh' sound) instead of /ˈlɒɡ.ə.ɡræm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be considered a logogram as it represents the word 'dollar' (or a currency unit) rather than a sound.
In strict linguistics, a logogram represents a specific word or morpheme in a language. An ideogram represents an idea or concept independently of a specific word. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Some emojis function like logograms (e.g., ❤️ for 'love' or 'heart'), but they are not part of a formal writing system for recording language linearly, so they are often classified separately as pictograms or ideograms.
Fully logographic systems are rare. Most, like Chinese, mix logograms with phonetic components. Ancient scripts like Sumerian cuneiform started heavily logographic but developed phonetic elements.
A written character or symbol that represents a whole word or phrase, rather than just a sound.
Logogram is usually academic, technical, linguistic in register.
Logogram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒɡ.ə.ɡræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑː.ɡə.ɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LOGO' as in a symbol representing a company (a whole entity) + 'GRAM' as in something written. A logogram is a written symbol representing a whole word.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WORD-PICTURE. A logogram is a visual container for a complete word-meaning.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the best example of a logogram?