signatory

noun

sig·​na·​to·​ry ˈsig-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

plural signatories

: a signer with another or others

signatories to a petition

especially : a government bound with others by a signed convention

signatory adjective

Did you know?

A signatory puts his or her signature on a document that is also signed by others. In 1215 the English barons revolted against King John and forced him to join them as a signatory to the Magna Carta. This agreement stated the barons' own duties to the King but also assigned the barons clear rights and limited the King's power over them. Though the Magna Carta did nothing for the common people, it's often been called the first step toward democracy in the English-speaking countries.

Examples of signatory in a Sentence

a signatory of the Declaration of Independence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran, a signatory to the nonproliferation treaty, has said for decades its nuclear programs are peaceful. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

An open letter backed by more than 120,000 signatories demands a public inquiry into press treatment of Arday, even as supporters raise hundreds of thousands for his family. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

An open letter from current and former writing-center tutors protesting the decision had more than 100 signatories. — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026

As one of the first two signatories of the Abraham Accords, the UAE continued working with Israel during the Israeli campaign in Gaza and as Israel carried out military strikes in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and even Qatar. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin signatorius of sealing, from signare

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for signatory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• feudatory
• gustatory

Legal Definition

signatory

noun

sig·​na·​to·​ry ˈsig-nə-ˌtōr-ē 

plural signatories

: a signer with another or others

signatories to a petition

especially : a government bound with others by a signed convention

signatory adjective