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a sign of the times

noun phrase

: something that shows the kinds of things that are happening, popular, important, etc., in a culture at a particular period in history
Having metal detectors in schools is a sign of the times.

Examples of a sign of the times in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That’s why, in a sign of the times, the sheriff’s office sold its helicopters two years ago and has begun to replace them with drones. David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Nov. 2025 William Gumede, an associate professor at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University, says the summit controversy is a sign of the times. NPR, 21 Nov. 2025 In an interview, Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, Auberge Collection’s vice president, well-being, said programs like these are a sign of the times and cater to new generations, looking for more than just a hotel stay. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 Her story is a sign of the times. Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for a sign of the times

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Cite this Entry

“A sign of the times.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20sign%20of%20the%20times. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

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