The office was only a symbolic function after 1848.

Presidential pardons have both a symbolic and practical function in America's justice system.

"The ships and troops have an important symbolic function," a State Department official said.

I am more interested in the varying symbolic functions they fulfil.

Hence, illnesses have a symbolic function which has to be recognized by both therapist and patient.

The symbolic or referential function uses words to talk about the objective world, to point to things, as Richards puts it.

Over the years the symbolic function of hair has changed, particularly in African cities.

So one could say the family name Angel has also got a symbolic function.

This rather large atrium had a practical as well as symbolic function.

Secondly, the President serves the important symbolic function of representing the nation.