sign on

verb

signed on; signing on; signs on

intransitive verb

1

: to engage oneself by or as if by a signature

signed on to the new project

2

: to announce the start of broadcasting for the day

sign-on

ˈsī-ˌnȯn 

-ˌnän

noun

Synonyms of sign on

• sign up (for)
• join
• enter
• enroll (in)
• rejoin
• enlist (in)

Examples of sign on in a Sentence

I signed on for the crew team simply as a lark

Recent Examples on the Web

Once signed on to the agreement, growers are subject to annual government audits. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Miami is facing backlash from residents after city leaders signed on to ICE's program. — Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 16 July 2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill, signed on July 4 last year, cut $863 billion from Medicaid over 10 years. — Cole Hanson, STAT, 16 July 2026

The Irish comedian, 63, reflected on the singer’s most recent appearance in a new interview with British GQ, revealing that the episode had already been fully booked when Swift signed on. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sign on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

sign on

verb

(ˈ)sī-ˈnȯn, 

-ˈnän

1

: to hire oneself by or as if by a signature

signed on as a member of the crew

2

: to announce the beginning of broadcasting