significant symbol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialised/academic)Academic/Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “significant symbol” mean?
A symbol that carries important meaning or represents something of consequence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A symbol that carries important meaning or represents something of consequence; a sign that conveys substantial information beyond its immediate appearance.
In semiotics and sociology (following G.H. Mead), a symbol that carries shared meaning within a social group, enabling complex communication and social interaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. The term is academic/technical and used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
In academic contexts, strongly associated with George Herbert Mead's symbolic interactionism in sociology and philosophy of mind.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialised discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “significant symbol” in a Sentence
[something] is/acts as a significant symbol of [something]The [symbol] functions as a significant symbol within [context]To interpret/understand the significant symbolVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “significant symbol” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gesture came to significant symbolise the struggle.
- These artefacts significant symbol the cultural shift.
American English
- The gesture came to significantly symbolize the struggle.
- These artifacts significantly symbolize the cultural shift.
adverb
British English
- The image functioned significantly symbolically in the campaign.
- He used the metaphor significantly symbolically.
American English
- The image functioned significantly symbolically in the campaign.
- He used the metaphor significantly symbolically.
adjective
British English
- The ceremony included significant symbolic gestures.
- Their gift was highly significant symbolically.
American English
- The ceremony included significant symbolic gestures.
- Their gift was highly significant symbolically.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in branding/marketing discussions about logos or trademarks that carry deep brand meaning.
Academic
Common in sociology, semiotics, philosophy, and communication studies, referring to symbols that enable shared understanding and social action.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used literally to describe a highly meaningful icon or sign (e.g., a national flag).
Technical
Core term in symbolic interactionism (sociology) and semiotic theory, denoting a sign that evokes the same response in both the user and the interpreter.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “significant symbol”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “significant symbol”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “significant symbol”
- Using 'significant symbol' in casual conversation where 'important symbol' or 'meaningful sign' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'significant simbol'.
- Overusing in non-academic writing where simpler phrasing exists.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised term primarily used in academic fields like sociology, semiotics, and philosophy. In everyday language, people are more likely to say 'important symbol' or 'meaningful sign'.
The term is most famously associated with the American sociologist and philosopher George Herbert Mead (1863-1931), a key figure in the development of symbolic interactionism.
In Mead's theory, a 'significant symbol' is a special kind of sign (like a vocal gesture) that has shared, conventional meaning and elicits a similar response in both the communicator and the receiver, enabling self-consciousness and role-taking.
Yes, in the broad theoretical sense. Words in a language are prime examples of significant symbols because they carry shared meanings that allow for predictable responses and complex social coordination.
A symbol that carries important meaning or represents something of consequence.
Significant symbol is usually academic/technical/formal in register.
Significant symbol: in British English it is pronounced /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt ˈsɪmbəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt ˈsɪmbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No established idioms for this compound term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SIGNificant = has important SIGN-ificance. A SIGN-ificant SYMBOL is a SIGN that SYMBOLises something important.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A BRIDGE (the symbol bridges minds); MEANING IS WEIGHT (significant = having the weight of meaning).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'significant symbol' a key technical term?