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symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try | \ ˈsi-mÉ™-trÄ“ How to pronounce symmetry (audio) \
plural symmetries

Definition of symmetry

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
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about symmetry

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Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

the symmetry of the human body The building has perfect symmetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

 But what about the temporal symmetry of nature — the rule that stable objects stay the same throughout time? — Quanta Magazine, "Perpetual Motion Test Could Amend Theory of Time," 25 Apr. 2013 Simple symmetry Second only to the kitchen, the master bathroom underwent the most drastic changes. — azcentral, "Couple downsizes but upgrades their Fountain Hills home with help of former Suns player. Take a look," 8 Aug. 2019 Your eye for symmetry and detail could lead you to choose the best items on the spur of the moment. IF AUGUST 1 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Your business sense will serve you well between now and mid-September. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for Aug. 1, 2019: Sagittarius, depend on the dependable; Gemini, move ahead with plans and dreams," 1 Aug. 2019 After all, there’s a beauty and symmetry for Bochy to ride into the sunset with one of the greatest competitors in Giants franchise history. — San Francisco Chronicle, "July 31, 2019," 31 July 2019 The production designer, Henrik Svensson, has built a truly frightening and intricate universe whose iconography is dominated by symmetry. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Midsommar Is a Nightmare in Broad Daylight," 5 July 2019 Behind the stage looms a pipe organ that was custom-designed to include stops for Japanese instrumentation — and whose asymmetrical layout nods to the Japanese design ethos that prizes balance over symmetry. — Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, "Arata Isozaki's Kyoto Concert Hall shows L.A. what might have been at MOCA," 7 June 2019 In the early 1970s several researchers independently proposed that bosons and fermions might be related to one another via a fundamental symmetry called supersymmetry. — Philip Ball, Scientific American, "Supergravity Snags Super Award: $3-Million Special Breakthrough Prize," 6 Aug. 2019 The relationship that eventually mattered most to Einstein’s legacy was symmetry. — Quanta Magazine, "The Simple Idea Behind Einstein’s Greatest Discoveries," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'symmetry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of symmetry

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for symmetry

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

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More Definitions for symmetry

symmetry

noun
How to pronounce symmetry (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of symmetry

: the quality of something that has two sides or halves that are the same or very close in size, shape, and position : the quality of having symmetrical parts

See the full definition for symmetry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try | \ ˈsi-mÉ™-trÄ“ How to pronounce symmetry (audio) \
plural symmetries

Kids Definition of symmetry

: close agreement in size, shape, and position of parts that are on opposite sides of a dividing line or center : an arrangement involving regular and balanced proportions the symmetry of the human body

symmetry

noun
sym·​me·​try | \ ˈsim-É™-trÄ“ How to pronounce symmetry (audio) \
plural symmetries

Medical Definition of symmetry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on symmetry

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for symmetry

Spanish Central: Translation of symmetry

Nglish: Translation of symmetry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of symmetry for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about symmetry

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