The symbol "-" is known as a hyphen or minus sign, depending on its usage. As a hyphen, it connects words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives like well-known or mother-in-law. It helps clarify meaning and improve readability in written language. As a minus sign, the symbol represents subtraction in mathematics. It indicates that one number should be taken away from another, such as in the equation 5 - 3 = 2. The minus sign is essential for performing calculations and understanding negative values in various mathematical contexts.