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

At one six-story abandoned scam center in the Cambodian border town of O’Smach, investigators found rooms kitted out to resemble the offices of police forces from Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and China, complete with fake uniforms, insignia, and identity cards. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 7 Apr. 2026

Shoes and fragments of clothing, and various small items the sailors would have carried with them—clay pipes, uniform insignia, and weapons. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

Shoes and fragments of clothing, and various small items the sailors would have carried with them — clay pipes, uniform insignia, and weapons. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026

Last week, the Defense secretary ordered that chaplains will no longer wear their rank insignia, but rather show insignia that reflects their religious affiliation. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2026

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