- a representation of a word or phrase by pictures, symbols, etc., that suggest that word or phrase or its syllables: Two gates and a head is a rebus for Gateshead.
- a piece of writing containing many such representations.
- a puzzle consisting of pictures representing syllables and words; in such a puzzle the word hear might be represented by H followed by a picture of an ear
- a heraldic emblem or device that is a pictorial representation of or pun on the name of the bearer
