pentagram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, technical, occult/esoteric
Quick answer
What does “pentagram” mean?
A five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes, often used as a mystical or magical symbol.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes, often used as a mystical or magical symbol.
A geometric figure of a star with five points, often enclosed in a circle (pentacle), historically and culturally associated with mathematics, religion, occultism, and symbolism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage contexts are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing in similar specialized contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pentagram” in a Sentence
The pentagram is associated with [concept].A pentagram was drawn/carved/etched on [surface].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in mathematics (geometry), religious studies, history of symbolism, and cultural studies.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in discussions about symbolism, tattoos, or popular media referencing magic or the occult.
Technical
Used in geometry to describe a specific star polygon. Used in occult/esoteric literature as a defined ritual symbol.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pentagram”
- Misspelling as 'pentagramm' or 'pentagrame'.
- Confusing 'pentagram' (the star) with 'pentagon' (the five-sided shape).
- Using it as a verb or adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often used interchangeably, but strictly, a pentagram is the five-pointed star itself, while a pentacle is a pentagram enclosed within a circle.
No. This is a modern, primarily Western association. Historically, the pentagram has represented harmony, health, and protection in many cultures, including ancient Greek and Babylonian.
It is a star polygon with five points, created by connecting alternate vertices of a regular pentagon.
No, 'pentagram' is exclusively a noun. You cannot 'pentagram' something.
A five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes, often used as a mystical or magical symbol.
Pentagram is usually formal, academic, technical, occult/esoteric in register.
Pentagram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpentəɡræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpentəˌɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms feature this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PENTAgon + diAGRAM = PENTAGRAM (a five-sided star diagram).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SHIELD (the pentagram is often viewed as a protective symbol).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'pentagram' LEAST likely to be used professionally?