What does ideogram mean?
An ideogram is a written symbol that represents a word, idea, or concept rather than simply indicating a sound. The term is especially associated with Chinese characters, whose forms can communicate meaning through visual resemblance, semantic associations, or combinations of these features. It can also describe older pictographic signs and, more broadly, symbols that convey an object, action, or abstract concept. Ideograms differ from alphabets, in which letters primarily represent sounds, and from ordinary pictures, which may illustrate an idea without serving as a systematic element of writing. Although popular explanations often suggest that Chinese characters are simple pictures of objects, most modern characters have more complex histories and frequently include phonetic components. The term remains important in discussions of writing systems, typography, visual communication, and the relationship between images and language.
nounA written symbol that represents a word, idea, or concept rather than merely indicating a particular sound. In writing systems such as Chinese, ideograms may combine pictorial and phonetic elements to convey meaning.
- A symbol or character that represents a word, concept, or idea rather than a single spoken sound.
- A pictorial or graphic sign used to communicate an object, action, or abstract meaning.
- A character in an ideographic writing system, especially a Chinese character.
"The character for mountain is an ideogram whose shape reflects the form of a mountain."
"The ancient scribes used ideograms to record objects and actions before alphabetic writing became widespread."
"Modern Chinese text contains thousands of ideograms, although most modern characters combine sound and meaning rather than functioning as pure pictures."
The regular plural is used for individual symbols or characters.
"The museum displays ideograms from several early writing systems."
Chinese characters are famous ideograms: they can convey meaning and, in many cases, sound at the same time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ideogram come from?
Ideogram was formed in the 19th century from Greek elements meaning “form” or “appearance” and “writing.” It developed from earlier related terms concerned with pictorial representation and writing. The word belongs to a family derived from the Greek noun eidos, “form,” which is also the source of words such as idea, ideal, identify, and identity.
Related word forms
How ideogram is actually used
The term is most commonly associated with Chinese and other East Asian writing systems, but it can be used more broadly for any graphic symbol that conveys meaning. In typography, ideogram may refer to a pictorial symbol or a character designed to communicate an idea. The related terms ideographic and ideogrammatic are often used in academic discussions of writing systems.
Easily confused with ideogram
A pictogram represents an object or idea primarily through its image, whereas an ideogram can represent a whole word or concept and may include phonetic or semantic components as well.
A logogram represents an entire word or morpheme without indicating its pronunciation, while an ideogram more broadly denotes a symbol that conveys a concept or meaning.