Normal crossings singularities for symplectic topology

We introduce topological notions of normal crossings symplectic divisor and variety and establish that they are equivalent, in a suitable sense, to the desired geometric notions. Our proposed concept of equivalence of associated topological and geometric notions fits ideally with important constructions in symplectic topology. This partially answers Gromov's question on the feasibility of defining singular symplectic (sub)varieties and lays foundation for rich developments in the future. In subsequent papers, we establish a smoothability criterion for symplectic normal crossings varieties, in the process providing the multifold symplectic sum envisioned by Gromov, and introduce symplectic analogues of logarithmic structures in the context of normal crossings symplectic divisors.