symmetry

noun

sym·​me·​try ˈsi-mə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: balanced proportions
also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions
2
: the property of being symmetrical
especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry
3
: a rigid motion of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping onto itself
4
: the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow)
used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

the symmetry of the human body The building has perfect symmetry.
Recent Examples on the Web The symmetry of these homes keeps the look restrained. Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 There’s an odd amalgam of symmetry and irony in Ferrera’s first Oscar nomination’s being for a film so predicated on a doll that often defined beauty standards. Lesley O’Toole, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024 The German actress could draft off her own Lead Actress campaign to score two nominations in the same year — a feat last pulled off by Scarlett Johansson, who in a weird bit of Oscar symmetry also got her Supporting nod for playing a German hausfrau in World War II. Vulture, 19 Jan. 2024 The inline-six layout provides improved symmetry for the rotating assembly and the engine bay features additional insulation to help isolate the passenger compartment. Michael Van Runkle, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Without definite shape or symmetry, a sponge can be ground up in a blender and slowly reassemble itself thereafter, so long as enough cells are left intact. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2024 Unlike bilaterians such as salamanders (and humans), which have bilateral symmetry (meaning a symmetrical right and left side), cnidarians have radial body symmetry, with body sections that extend out from the middle and are symmetrical all around. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2024 Saint-Louis is famous for its French Colonial style architecture—with its symmetry, high ceilings, and balconies—but the pastel hues of those buildings are as faded as their grandeur. J.r. Patterson, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2023 To make that connection, the team demonstrated that two distinct symmetries coexist in epithelial tissue. WIRED, 10 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symmetry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin symmetria, from Greek, from symmetros symmetrical, from syn- + metron measure — more at measure

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of symmetry was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near symmetry

Cite this Entry

“Symmetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetry. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: balanced proportions
2
: close agreement in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or around a central point compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

Medical Definition

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try ˈsim-ə-trē How to pronounce symmetry (audio)
plural symmetries
1
: correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis see bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry
2
: the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow)
used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

More from Merriam-Webster on symmetry

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