What does logogram mean?
A logogram is a written symbol that represents a whole word, morpheme, or idea rather than an individual sound. In this sense, it differs from a phonogram, whose primary function is to record pronunciation. Logograms are central to writing systems such as Chinese and to ancient scripts including Egyptian hieroglyphs, although many familiar symbols, including the ampersand, also function as logograms. The term can also describe a wordmark or logo composed of lettering intended to be read as a unit. In typography and design, designers use logograms to convey a name, identity, or message compactly, while scholars use the term to classify the visual and linguistic organization of writing systems. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing meaning-based written signs from letters that primarily correspond to sounds.
nounA logogram is a written symbol that represents a whole word, morpheme, or idea rather than a single sound. Examples include Chinese characters such as 日, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and the ampersand.
- A written symbol that stands for a complete word, morpheme, or idea.
- A character used in a writing system, especially an ancient or non-alphabetic one, whose value is determined by meaning rather than by an individual sound.
"The designer replaced a familiar logogram with a small image, making the sign more visually distinctive."
"The inscription contains several logograms that record names and titles."
"For a logo, the designer chose a bold logogram that could be recognized at a glance."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The manuscript's logograms combine phonetic signs with signs that represent entire words."
Chinese can fit a complete thought into a single character: a logogram compresses language, meaning, and picture into one written form.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does logogram come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century from Greek logos, meaning “word” or “reason,” and -gram, from gramma, meaning “letter” or “written character.” Its development reflects the 19th-century expansion of linguistics and the comparative study of writing systems. It belongs to a family of English words built on the same Greek elements, including logograph, logotype, logarithm, and logic.
Related word forms
How logogram is actually used
The term is most common in discussions of writing systems, typography, and ancient scripts. It is more technical than simply calling such a mark a symbol, because a logogram is distinguished by representing linguistic units directly.
Easily confused with logogram
A logogram represents a word or idea, whereas a phonogram represents a sound or syllable.
An ideogram is a broader term for a sign that represents a meaning, while a logogram specifically represents a word or morpheme.