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 How to pronounce sign on (audio)
-ˌnän
noun

Examples of sign on in a Sentence

I signed on for the crew team simply as a lark
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The council received at least a dozen letters and public comments to support naming the sign on Lafayette Boulevard and Cass Avenue — the intersection near the former Detroit Free Press building, 321 Lafayette — after Spina, who died in 1995. Dana Afana, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Mia Goth, Dan Stevens and Zach Galifianakis have signed on to star in Hey Bear, the feature directoral debut of Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2025 Wicked City star Shaquita Smith is signed on to lead Janice Doe, a psychological thriller from Mann Robinson Studios, whose founder, Mann Robinson, is directing. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 Los Angeles, and now a working movie star again (soon to star alongside Timothée Chalamet in A24’s £50 million Marty Supreme), Paltrow feels as much a part of Hollywood’s landscape as that sign on the hills. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025 There had been talk of significant changes coming to the newscast before Weiss signed on for a senior role at the division. Stephen Battaglio, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025 So, the director asked a few Hollywood heavyweights, including Peter Farrelly, Danny McBride and David Gordon Green, to help get the word out about his doc by signing on as executive producers. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025 The deal signed on Wednesday by Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is a letter of understanding, meaning exact terms, costs and delivery dates for 100 to 150 Saab Gripen-E jets are yet to be determined. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025 The breakfast and lunch destination debuted in late August but finally got its sign on the building in early October, according to its Instagram page. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sign on was in 1879

Cite this Entry

“Sign on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign%20on. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sign on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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