Main Difference
The main difference between Symbol and Sign is that the Symbol is a something that represents an idea, a process, or a physical entity and Sign is a semiotic concept; object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else; includes words, punctuation, expressions, gestures, notices, road signs, symbols, pictures, etc
Symbol
A symbol is a mark, sign or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for “STOP”. On a map, a blue line might represent a river. Numerals are symbols for numbers. Alphabetic letters may be symbols for sounds. Personal names are symbols representing individuals. A red rose may symbolize love and compassion. The variable ‘x’, in a mathematical equation, may symbolize the position of a particle in space.
In cartography, an organized collection of symbols forms a legend for a map.
Sign
A sign is an object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm, or medical symptoms signify a disease. A conventional sign signifies by agreement, as a full stop signifies the end of a sentence; similarly the words and expressions of a language, as well as bodily gestures, can be regarded as signs, expressing particular meanings. The physical objects most commonly referred to as signs (notices, road signs, etc., collectively known as signage) generally inform or instruct using written text, symbols, pictures or a combination of these.
The philosophical study of signs and symbols is called semiotics; this includes the study of semiosis, which is the way in which signs (in the semiotic sense) operate.
Symbol (noun)
A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
“$ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.”
“Chinese people use word symbols for writing.”
“The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.”
Symbol (noun)
Any object, typically material, which is meant to represent another (usually abstract) even if there is no meaningful relationship.
“The dollar symbol has no relationship to the concept of currency or any related idea.”
Symbol (noun)
A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
Symbol (noun)
A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
“The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.”
Symbol (noun)
Visible traces or impressions, made using a writing device or tool, that are connected together and/or are slightly separated. Sometimes symbols represent objects or events that occupy space or things that are not physical and do not occupy space.
Symbol (noun)
The axes.
Symbol (noun)
That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
Symbol (noun)
Share; allotment.
Symbol (noun)
An internal identifier used by a debugger to relate parts of the compiled program to the corresponding names in the source code.
Symbol (verb)
To symbolize.
Sign (noun)
A visible indication.
“Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn’t want to talk.”
“Those clouds show signs of raining soon.”
“Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.”
“Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.”
“The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.”
“I gave them a thumbs-up sign.”
Sign (noun)
Physical evidence left by an animal.
“The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.”
Sign (noun)
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
“The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.”
“I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.”
Sign (noun)
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sign (noun)
An astrological sign.
“Your sign is Taurus? That’s no surprise.”
Sign (noun)
Positive or negative polarity. (Note: it is improper to place a sign on the number zero)
“I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.”
Sign (noun)
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
Sign (noun)
Sign language in general.
“Sorry, I don’t know sign very well.”
Sign (noun)
An omen.
“”It’s a sign of the end of the world,” the doom prophet said.”
Sign (noun)
A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, is unlikely to be noticed by the patient.
Sign (noun)
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Sign (verb)
To make a mark
Sign (verb)
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. from 13th c.
“The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.”
Sign (verb)
To mark, to put or leave a mark on. from 14th c.
Sign (verb)
To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one’s signature on it. from 15th c.
Sign (verb)
More generally, to write one’s signature on (something) as a means of identification etc. from 15th c.
“I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.”
Sign (verb)
To write (one’s name) as a signature. from 16th c.
“Just sign your name at the bottom there.”
“I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.”
Sign (verb)
To write one’s signature. from 17th c.
“Please sign on the dotted line.”
Sign (verb)
To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc. from 19th c.
Sign (verb)
To make the sign of the cross
Sign (verb)
To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract. from 19th c.
“It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.”
Sign (verb)
To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross. from 14th c.
Sign (verb)
To indicate
Sign (verb)
To cross oneself. from 15th c.
Sign (verb)
To communicate using a gesture or signal. from 16th c.
Sign (verb)
To communicate using gestures to (someone). from 16th c.
“He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.”
Sign (verb)
To use sign language. from 19th c.
Symbol (noun)
a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation
“the chemical symbol for helium is He”
“the symbol r in Figure 5 represents a gene which is ineffective”
Symbol (noun)
a shape or sign used to represent something such as an organization, e.g. a red cross or a Star of David
“the Red Cross symbol”
“the Star of David, the Jewish symbol”
Symbol (noun)
a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract
“the limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority”
Symbol (verb)
symbolize.
Sign (noun)
an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
“the shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst”
“flowers are often given as a sign of affection”
Sign (noun)
something regarded as an indication of what is happening or going to happen
“the signs are that counterfeiting is growing at an alarming rate”
Sign (noun)
used to indicate that someone or something is not where they should be or are expected to be
“there was still no sign of her”
Sign (noun)
an indication of a disease detectable by a medical practitioner even if not apparent to the patient
“clinical signs of liver disease”
Sign (noun)
a miracle regarded as evidence of supernatural power (chiefly in biblical and literary use)
“he observed signs and miracles taking place”
Sign (noun)
the trail of a wild animal
“wolverine sign”
Sign (noun)
a gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
“she gave him the thumbs-up sign”
Sign (noun)
an action or reaction that conveys something about someone
“she gave no sign of having seen him”
Sign (noun)
a gesture used in a system of sign language.
Sign (noun)
short for sign language
Sign (noun)
a symbol or word used to represent an operation, instruction, concept, or object in algebra, music, or other subjects
“the integral sign ∫”
Sign (noun)
a word or gesture given according to prior arrangement as a means of identification; a password.
Sign (noun)
a notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
“I didn’t see the ‘Stop’ sign”
Sign (noun)
each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic
“a person born under the sign of Virgo”
“a sign of the Zodiac”
Sign (noun)
the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
“the last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number”
Sign (verb)
write one’s name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender
“the card was signed by the whole class”
Sign (verb)
authorize (a document or other written or printed material) by attaching a signature
“the two countries signed a non-aggression treaty”
Sign (verb)
write (one’s name) for purposes of identification or authorization
“she signed her name in the book”
“she signed herself Imogen”
“he signed on the dotted line”
Sign (verb)
engage (someone, typically a sports player or a musician) to work for one by signing a contract with them
“the manager plans to sign a new goalkeeper”
Sign (verb)
commit oneself to work by signing a contract
“a new striker has signed for Blackburn”
Sign (verb)
use gestures to convey information or instructions
“she signed to her husband to leave the room”
Sign (verb)
communicate in sign language
“she was learning to sign”
Sign (verb)
express or perform (something) in sign language
“the theatre routinely puts on signed performances”
“the Deaf Association Choir signed the hymns”
Sign (verb)
indicate with signposts or other markers
“the footpath is signed by the gate”
Sign (verb)
mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
“he signed himself with the cross”