signatory

noun

sig·​na·​to·​ry ˈsig-nə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce signatory (audio)
plural signatories
: a signer with another or others
signatories to a petition
especially : a government bound with others by a signed convention
signatory adjective

Did you know?

A signatory puts his or her signature on a document that is also signed by others. In 1215 the English barons revolted against King John and forced him to join them as a signatory to the Magna Carta. This agreement stated the barons' own duties to the King but also assigned the barons clear rights and limited the King's power over them. Though the Magna Carta did nothing for the common people, it's often been called the first step toward democracy in the English-speaking countries.

Examples of signatory in a Sentence

a signatory of the Declaration of Independence
Recent Examples on the Web The number of signatories has now exceeded 300 names and keeps growing. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023 The Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation was signed in November 2002 to regulate the use of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destructions, and has since increased its membership from 93 to 143 signatories. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2023 Inside Ukraine's Push to Try Putin for War Crimes South Africa and Russia share strong ties and have an historically close relationship, but South Africa is also a signatory to the international court's treaty. Time, 22 Aug. 2023 Among its signatories was Lt. Col. N., who asked to be referred to only by his rank and initial because of his recent involvement in national security issues. Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 25 July 2023 The attorneys general from Kansas and Tennessee were the first signatories on the letter addressed to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies. Julia Malleck, Quartz, 14 July 2023 To this end, the communiqué stipulates that its signatories will work with international donors and UN agencies to accelerate the construction of schools and hospitals in Syria, as well as to provide economic opportunity for Syria’s people. Sam Heller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2023 Well, Chuck, our moral authority has not derived from being a signatory to the Convention Against Cluster Munitions. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 July 2023 Crisp of Chatham House noted that Britain was one of the original signatories of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'signatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin signatorius of sealing, from signare

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of signatory was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near signatory

Cite this Entry

“Signatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signatory. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Legal Definition

signatory

noun
sig·​na·​to·​ry ˈsig-nə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce signatory (audio)
plural signatories
: a signer with another or others
signatories to a petition
especially : a government bound with others by a signed convention
signatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on signatory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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