swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswä-sti-kə 

 also  swä-ˈstē-

1

: a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction

2

: a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism

Examples of swastika in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The leader, who had a swastika tattoo between his eyes in his later years, died of natural causes on November 19, 2017, at the age of 83. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2024

In February, swastikas and antisemitic language were found written on the River Campus tunnel walls at the University of Rochester. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

But a yard sign with the swastika logo seen in the social media posts is not among merchandise available for purchase from the Trump campaign, and officials said the claim is false. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

The lawsuit alleges Starling's daughter, Taylor, lost her varsity spot to a transgender athlete and that her T-shirt to express opposition to the athlete competing was compared to a swastika. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit svastika, from svasti well-being, from su- well + as- to be; akin to Sanskrit asti he is, Old English is; from its being regarded as a good luck symbol

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swastika

noun

swas·​ti·​ka ˈswäs-ti-kə 

 also  swä-ˈstē-kə

: a symbol in the form of a cross with the ends of the arms bent at right angles all in the same direction

Etymology

from a word in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) svastika "a symbol in the form of a cross with bent arms," from svasti "well-being"