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

Every monarch has a unique seal created especially for them during their reign, and King Charles approved his insignia during a Privy Council meeting this week. —Janine Henni, People.com, 10 May 2025

The dead are a group of travelers with curved scars on their cheeks and insignia on their clothes. —EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Amid the political upheaval, Russian forces without insignia swiftly took control of the peninsula's government buildings and military bases. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Heuberger noted that a dome light, blue LED lights on the wall and a Green Bay Packers insignia over the bed in Conley’s room matched that in the video. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 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