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

It has also been depicted on postal stamps, quarters and the insignia of most military branches. —Sara Ruberg, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024

The creative maven believes Cult of Individuality’s logo—nodding to Jean Michel Basquiat’s famous crown—ignited the brand’s mojo when the insignia emerged some five or six years ago. —Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2024

As voting got underway, the FBI warned that its name and insignia were being used in two fake news clips, including one that falsely claimed the FBI was urging people to vote remotely because of a terrorist threat. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has alerted Americans to two election videos in which the agency's name and insignia are used, telling people the videos are fake. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

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