Definition of sign
1a : a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made knownb : signal 2ac : a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function signs include words, morphemes, and punctuationd : one of a set of gestures used to represent language; also : sign language
2 : a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion
3 : one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac
4a (1) : a character (such as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation (2) : segnob : a character (such as ÷) indicating a mathematical operation; also : one of two characters + and − that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize it as positive or negative
5a : a display (such as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a productb : a posted command, warning, or directionc : signboard
6a : something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritualb : something indicating the presence or existence of something else signs of success a sign of the timesc : presage, portent signs of an early springd : an objective evidence of plant or animal disease
7 plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal red fox sign
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Examples of sign in a Sentence
The sign in the store window says “OPEN.”
After you get off the highway, follow the signs for Route 25.
He ran the stop sign.
There was a “For Sale” sign on the car.
All the signs point to him as the guilty party.
She ignored me, which was a sure sign that she was mad at me.
“The company called me in for a second interview.” “That's a good sign.”
It was a bad sign that he couldn't walk on the injured leg.
There are plenty of warning signs that the company is in danger of bankruptcy.
They bowed before the king as a sign of respect.
Recent Examples of sign from the Web
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What other buildings in the area are made of glow-in-the-dark circles, to no end, like the sign of infinity, the time our neighborhood will be dealing with this monstrosity?
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Signs on the walls of the exhibit provided testaments to the first responders who went to help people in the crisis and their work to find them in the months after.
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Many of the wrecks remain in great shape, and the submerged vessels show no signs of going anywhere soon.
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There were months of warning signs about Sun before the weekend’s events.
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Uber itself has raised an alarm about drivers — some with homemade Uber signs in the window — impersonating its workers at airports in New York.
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The rate at which the universe expands, its ratio of matter to energy and various other apparently arbitrary factors can be seen as showing signs of such fine tuning.
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Unfortunately, given their track record so far, no one expects charity or humility from this administration and any signs of it at this point will likely be met with strict skepticism and analysis, as there is almost certainly a catch.
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One of them, called J147, appeared to preserve cognition and actually reverse some signs of aging in mice.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sign
Middle English signe, from Anglo-French, from Latin signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perhaps akin to Latin secare to cut — more at saw
Synonym Discussion of sign
sign
Definition of sign
transitive verb
1a : cross 2b : to place a sign on or mark by signs sign a trailc : to represent or indicate by a sign
2a : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal sign a bill into law sign a confessionb : to assign or convey formally signed over his property to his brotherc : to write down (one's name)d : to affix one's name to a signed review
3 : to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
4 : to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment —often used with up or on
intransitive verb
1 : to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation signed for the packages signed with the team for one season
2a : to make a sign or signalb : to use sign language
Examples of sign in a Sentence
Sign your name on the bottom line.
She met with fans and signed autographs.
Please sign at the bottom of the application.
You forgot to sign the document.
He was forced to sign the confession.
The contract was signed by both parties.
The author will be signing copies of his books today.
The contract should be signed, sealed, and delivered by tomorrow.
The team signed the pitcher to a three-year contract.
He is signed to a three-year contract.
Recent Examples of sign from the Web
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To participate, people sign on from the comfort of the computer in their homes or businesses on to the Zoom link.
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In order to listen to the album on the day of release, fans either had to have an existing Tidal subscription (established before June 26) or have signed up to a new trial subscription through Sprint.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sign
Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum
SIGN Defined for English Language Learners
sign
playDefinition of sign for English Language Learners
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: a piece of paper, wood, etc., with words or pictures on it that gives information about something
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: something (such as an action or event) which shows that something else exists, is true, or will happen
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: a motion, action, or movement that you use to express a thought, command, or wish
sign
Definition of sign for English Language Learners
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: to write (your name) on something
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: to write your name on (something) especially to show that you accept, agree with, or will be responsible for something
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: to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract
SIGN Defined for Kids
Definition of sign for Students
1 : a motion, action, or movement of the hand that means something The teacher made a sign for them to be quiet.
2 : a public notice that advertises something or gives information a stop sign
3 : something that indicates what is present or is to come the first signs of spring
4 : a symbol (as + or ÷) indicating a mathematical operation
5 : one of the twelve parts of the zodiac
Word Root of sign
The Latin word signum, meaning “mark” or “indication,” gives us the root sign. Words from the Latin signum have something to do with marks, signs, or indications. A sign is a move of the hand that indicates something to others. To designate is to mark someone or something for a special purpose. A signal is an indication that an action should begin.
Definition of sign for Students
signed
;signing
1 : to put a signature on to show acceptance, agreement, or responsibility His boss signed the order form.
2 : to communicate by using sign language
3 : to represent or show by a motion, action, or movement
4 : to make or place a sign on
sign up
: to sign someone's name in order to get, do, or take something I signed up to go.
Medical Dictionary
sign
playMedical Definition of sign
1: one of a set of gestures used to represent language
2: an objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer narrow retinal vessels are a sign of arteriosclerosis—see brudzinski sign, chvostek's sign, homans' sign, kernig sign, physical sign, placental sign, romberg's sign, tinel's sign, vital signs, von graefe's sign; compare symptom
Law Dictionary
sign
Legal Definition of sign
1 : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal sign a bill into law; specifically : to write or mark something (as a signature) on (a document) as an acknowledgment of one's intention to be bound by it
2 : to assign or convey formally signed the property over to his brother
signer
nounLearn More about sign
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See words that rhyme with sign Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sign Spanish Central: Translation of sign Nglish: Translation of sign for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sign for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sign
Seen and Heard
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