symmetry
noun
sym·me·try
ˈsi-mə-trē 
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
On a day that had long been in the books as a tribute to Kevin Keegan, the manager who saved the club from oblivion, dragged it into the Premier League and opened up a world of possibilities, there was a discordant kind of symmetry.
—
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, there could be some symmetry if the Diamondbacks signed Martinez to nearly bookend his career.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
There’s a pleasing trilogy symmetry in Haugerud’s focus for the first time here exclusively on female desire, with men relegated to the periphery.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
In other words, soccer doesn't have mirror symmetry; there is a preferred anticlockwise direction in the game.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symmetry
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, there could be some symmetry if the Diamondbacks signed Martinez to nearly bookend his career.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
There’s a pleasing trilogy symmetry in Haugerud’s focus for the first time here exclusively on female desire, with men relegated to the periphery.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025
In other words, soccer doesn't have mirror symmetry; there is a preferred anticlockwise direction in the game.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symmetry
Cite this Entry
“Symmetry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symmetry. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
symmetry
noun
sym·me·try
ˈsim-ə-trē
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share