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

Russian troops, having removed the insignia from their uniforms, spilled out of that base and took positions across Crimea, daring the Ukrainian troops stationed on the peninsula to resist. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

Many wore yellow T-shirts and caps emblazoned with the insignia of the ruling National Resistance Movement — and images of the octogenarian president. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026

The agents had a Border Patrol insignia on their uniforms, the outlet reported. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Instead, a black van carrying the insignia of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, which is responsible for stopping espionage and intelligence threats, was parked behind the men. —Nbc News, NBC news, 6 Jan. 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