insignia

noun

in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə 

variants or less commonly insigne

in-ˈsig-(ˌ)nē 

plural insignia or insignias

1

: a badge of authority or honor

2

: a distinguishing mark or sign

Did you know?

Insignia are the official signs of rank, titles, or awards. Medals are an example, as are the crowns of monarchs. The Catholic church employs such insignia as the red robes of cardinals. U.S. presidents have the presidential seal, which appears on the stand when they're giving a speech. But most of us think first of the bars, stripes, badges, and patches of military rank.

Examples of insignia in a Sentence

Their jackets have the school's insignia on the front.

Recent Examples on the Web

No visible insignia identified them as state or federal — or even legal authorities at all. —J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025

Evidence also allegedly showed him in photographs and videos taken around the time of the attack in combat gear, carrying weapons and standing with armed militants, sometimes wearing NRB insignia and Hamas-style headbands. —Greg Norman , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025

In a recent campaign ad, Van Epps wears an Army uniform throughout the entire ad with patches and insignia removed. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025

Globemakers and a palette of greens, browns, slate grays, and bold reds drawn from flight suits, insignia, and wartime skies. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin insignia, plural of insigne mark, badge, from neuter of insignis marked, distinguished, from in- + signum mark — more at sign

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

insignia

noun

in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə 

plural insignia or insignias

: an emblem of a special authority, office, or honor : badge