Logogram

A logogram is a written symbol that represents a whole word or a meaningful part of a word, rather than just individual sounds. Unlike alphabetic systems where letters stand for sounds, logograms directly convey entire ideas or concepts. Examples include Chinese characters, which each represent a word or idea, and the dollar sign "$," which symbolizes money. Logograms allow for compact writing and can communicate complex ideas quickly, especially across languages with different sounds and alphabets. They are a central feature of certain writing systems where visual symbols carry specific linguistic significance.