sign

noun \ ˈsīn \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of sign

1 a : a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known

b : signal 2a

c : a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function

signs include words, morphemes, and punctuation

d : 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

4 a (1) : a character (such as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation

(2) : segno

b : 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

5 a : a display (such as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product

b : a posted command, warning, or direction

c : signboard

6 a : something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual

b : something indicating the presence or existence of something else

signs of success

a sign of the times

c : presage, portent

signs of an early spring

d : an objective evidence of plant or animal disease

7 plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal

red fox sign

See sign defined for English-language learners

See sign defined for kids

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

Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg Demonstrators hold signs while marching on 6th Avenue in New York.

— Bloomberg.com, "Students and Supporters March for Change After Mass Shootings," 3 Apr. 2018
He is used to doing television spots and betrayed no signs of discomfort during his short visit with the College GameDay crew.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Two days in the life of Chris Mack: Dad, husband and Louisville basketball coach," 3 Apr. 2018
But one thing is certain: Racing them is a sign of the apocalypse.

— marc peruzzi, Outside Online, "E-Bikes: Dorkmobiles or Saviors of the Universe?," 2 Apr. 2018
The rebuild of the Detroit Tigers will be painful and the first significant sign of that was Sunday's announced tickets sold.

— george sipple, Detroit Free Press, "Just 14,848 tickets sold for Tigers vs. Pirates, fewest since 2006," 1 Apr. 2018
The second question is still up for debate, though initial signs are surprisingly positive.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The Parkland Teens Are Winning the Culture War," 31 Mar. 2018
Rachel Freyman-Brown, center, holds a sign opposing the border wall while waiting for a Palm Sunday procession to start outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission, Texas, March 25, 2018.

— jason buch, San Antonio Express-News, "Border Patrol reveals where border wall funding will be spent," 30 Mar. 2018
Another sign pointing to the city’s renaissance is the influx of new, heavy-hitting design hotels.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reinvention of Jerusalem," 29 Mar. 2018
The Bank of Ann Arbor decided to take a (funny) shot at Loyola-Chicago’s beloved Sister Jean as Wolverines country gets ready for a Final Four matchup against the Ramblers with this sign: Points for the pun on the Michigan fight song.

— charles curtis, For The Win, "Michigan bank talks trash to Loyola with Sister Jean sign," 29 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

sign Synonyms

Synonyms

gesticulation, gesture, mime, pantomime, signal;

Related Words

beck, beckon, flourish, shrug, wave;

body language, posture;

indication, motion;

Synonym Discussion of sign

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

- encouraging signs for the economy

mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

- a mark of a good upbringing

token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

- this gift is a token of our esteem

note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

- a note of irony in her writing

symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

- rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

sign

verb

Definition of sign

transitive verb

1 a : cross 2

b : to place a sign on or mark by signs

sign a trail

c : to represent or indicate by a sign

2 a : to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal

sign a bill into law

sign a confession

b : to assign or convey formally

signed over his property to his brother

c : 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

2 a : to make a sign or signal

b : to use sign language

—

signee

play \ˌsī-ˈnē\ noun

—

signer

play \ˈsī-nər\ noun

See sign defined for English-language learners

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

Nearly 700 astronomers have signed a letter of support for early-career researchers who recently reported cases of alleged bullying at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "Hundreds of astronomers rally behind whistleblowers at controversial Swiss institute," 2 Nov. 2017
The Weinstein Company required employees to sign NDAs just to work there.

— bryce covert, New Republic, "How Corporations Create a Culture of Impunity for Sexual Harassers," 2 Nov. 2017
The letter sent to Amazon was signed by Emanuel, Rauner, Cook County Board president Toni Preckwinkle, and the four Republican and Democratic leaders of the statehouse, among them house speaker Michael Madigan and senate president John Cullerton.

— ben joravsky, Chicago Reader, "Chicago’s Amazon HQ2 bid offers money for nothing, TIFs for free," 31 Oct. 2017
In August, President Donald Trump signed an order preventing trans people from joining the military.

— suzannah weiss, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump's Transgender Military Ban Blocked by Federal Judge," 30 Oct. 2017
In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with any club or franchise; i.e., not under contract to any specific team.

— star-telegram, "In Pursuit of Profession: Should you be a “free agent?” | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 29 Oct. 2017
To sign-up a cake or volunteer contact Nora at 858-485-6300 or programs@rbwestwoodclub.com.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Lots of Halloween fun available for all ages," 25 Oct. 2017
Transaction The Cowboys released defensive end Stansly Maponga, who played at TCU, from their practice squad and signed former Texas A&M running back Trey Williams in his place on Thursday.

— clarence e. hill jr., star-telegram, "Alfred Morris will start against Chiefs in place of Ezekiel Elliott," 2 Nov. 2017
One of the things the agreement signed about a year did was spell out when streets will be closed or limited to one lane.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora streets set to close for Nicor cleanup," 2 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of sign

Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

sign Synonyms

Synonyms

autograph, ink, subscribe;

inscribe;

author, pen, pencil (in), scratch (out), scrawl, scribble;

notarize;

SIGN Defined for English Language Learners

sign

noun

Definition of sign for English Language Learners

: a piece of paper, wood, etc., with words or pictures on it that gives information about something
: something (such as an action or event) which shows that something else exists, is true, or will happen
: a motion, action, or movement that you use to express a thought, command, or wish

sign

verb

Definition of sign for English Language Learners

: to write (your name) on something
: to write your name on (something) especially to show that you accept, agree with, or will be responsible for something
: to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract

SIGN Defined for Kids

sign

noun \ ˈsīn \

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.

sign

verb

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

noun \ ˈsīn \

medical 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

transitive verb

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

noun

Learn More about sign

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

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sign

Definition of sign

Examples of sign in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sign from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sign

sign Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of sign

sign

Definition of sign

signee

signer

Examples of sign in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sign from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sign

sign Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

SIGN Defined for English Language Learners

sign

Definition of sign for English Language Learners

sign

Definition of sign for English Language Learners

SIGN Defined for Kids

sign

Definition of sign for Students

Word Root of sign

sign

Definition of sign for Students

Medical Dictionary

sign

medical Definition of sign

Law Dictionary

sign

legal Definition of sign

signer

Learn More about sign

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