sign

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known
c
: a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function
signs include words, morphemes, and punctuation
d
: one of a set of gestures used to represent language
also : sign language
2
: a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion
3
: one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac
4
a(1)
: a character (such as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation
(2)
: segno
b
: a character (such as ÷) indicating a mathematical operation
also : one of two characters + and − that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize it as positive or negative
5
a
: a display (such as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product
b
: a posted command, warning, or direction
c
6
a
: something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual
b
: something indicating the presence or existence of something else
signs of success
a sign of the times
c
: presage, portent
signs of an early spring
d
: an objective evidence of plant or animal disease
7
plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal
red fox sign

sign

2 of 2

verb

signed; signing; signs

transitive verb

1
b
: to place a sign on or mark by signs
sign a trail
c
: to represent or indicate by a sign
2
a
: to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal
sign a bill into law
sign a confession
b
: to assign or convey formally
signed over his property to his brother
c
: to write down (one's name)
d
: to affix one's name to
a signed review
3
: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
4
: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment
often used with up or on

intransitive verb

1
: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation
signed for the packages
signed with the team for one season
2
a
: to make a sign or signal
b
: to use sign language
signee noun
signer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for sign

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible.

sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Examples of sign in a Sentence

Noun The sign in the store window says “OPEN.” After you get off the highway, follow the signs for Route 25. He ran the stop sign. There was a “For Sale” sign on the car. All the signs point to him as the guilty party. She ignored me, which was a sure sign that she was mad at me. “The company called me in for a second interview.” “That's a good sign.” It was a bad sign that he couldn't walk on the injured leg. There are plenty of warning signs that the company is in danger of bankruptcy. They bowed before the king as a sign of respect. Verb Sign your name on the bottom line. She met with fans and signed autographs. Please sign at the bottom of the application. You forgot to sign the document. He was forced to sign the confession. The contract was signed by both parties. The author will be signing copies of his books today. The contract should be signed, sealed, and delivered by tomorrow. The team signed the pitcher to a three-year contract. He is signed to a three-year contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are signs the company has reversed its decision. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Some outraged fans even sent a truck with an electronic billboard to the headquarters of Karina’s agency, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which published a photo of the sign. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 The incident happened just a day after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into the front sign of the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunday night, prompting social media responses from the hotel and Tesla founder Elon Musk. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Now, astronomers are thinking about lightning on planets beyond the solar system–and its effects on the signs of life on those planets. Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 Surrounded by campaign signs of Democrats past and present in the state party’s downtown headquarters, Harris encouraged a crowd of about 50 Democrats to engage other potential voters in a state that could prove critical to the Biden-Harris reelection effort. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 White said there were no signs of suicide or foul play. Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Included in the latter collection was a representation of part of the Kansas City skyline, featuring the Western Auto sign, as well as streets decorated with local businesses such as Joe’s Kansas City and Gates BBQ. Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 The doctor confirmed that sudden cardiac arrest typically occurs without any preceding signs or symptoms. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
After a public outcry and support for Hermoso from dozens in the Spanish women’s soccer union — including World Cup players, who signed a statement refusing to play while the current leadership remained — there was a reckoning. Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Following the passage of the bill in both the House and Senate Friday evening, Caryl Auslander, speaking on behalf of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council said the organization urges Gov. Holcomb to sign the bill as soon as possible. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne has signed with Monument Records and will now be managed by Little Big Town‘s Karen Fairchild, who is stepping into music management. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 The player who made the biggest jump, in Callis’ eyes, was shortstop Fabian Lopez, who signed with the Marlins in January 2023. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 In February 2023, Calvert sent Alicia Reece a conflict of interest disclosure form that all members need to sign. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 Eilish did agree to sign McCarthy's face, taking a Sharpie to her forehead and having a hard time keeping it together while laughing. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 After nine years with the Nets and a brief stint on the Lakers, Brook signed to the Bucks in 2018. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English signe, from Anglo-French, from Latin signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perhaps akin to Latin secare to cut — more at saw

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sign was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near sign

Cite this Entry

“Sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sign

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a motion, action, or movement of the hand by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known
made a sign for them to be quiet
2
: a mark having a generally understood meaning and used in place of words
3
: one of the 12 parts of the zodiac
4
a
: a symbol (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation
b
: a symbol (as ÷ or √‾) indicating a mathematical operation
also : one of two symbols + and − characterizing a number as positive or negative
5
: a public notice that advertises something or gives information
6
a
: something that indicates what is present or is to come
no sign of life
first signs of spring
b
: something that provides evidence of plant or animal disease

sign

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to make or place a sign on
b
: to represent or indicate by a sign
2
: to write one's name on to show that one accepts, agrees with, or is responsible for
sign a check
sign a letter
sign a contract
3
: to hire by getting to sign something (as a contract)
sign a new ball player
4
: to use sign language
signee noun
signer noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English signe "a gesture that conveys a thought or command," from early French signe (same meaning), from Latin signum "mark, sign, image" — related to designate, seal entry 3, signal entry 1, significant

Medical Definition

sign

noun
1
: one of a set of gestures used to represent language
2
: an objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer
narrow retinal vessels are a sign of arteriosclerosis
see brudzinski sign, chvostek's sign, homans' sign, kernig sign, physical sign, placental sign, romberg's sign, tinel's sign, vital signs, von graefe's sign compare symptom

Legal Definition

sign

transitive verb
1
: to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal
sign a bill into law
specifically : to write or mark something (as a signature) on (a document) as an acknowledgment of one's intention to be bound by it
2
: to assign or convey formally
signed the property over to his brother
signer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sign

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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