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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
Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that obligates it not to enrich uranium for military purposes.
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Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
As of Thursday morning, the letter had 4,194 total signatories after launching on April 13 with 1,000 names.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Just look at the Giving Pledge—the commitment, cofounded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, that asks the ultrawealthy to donate at least 50% of their fortunes—has attracted more than 250 signatories since its launch in 2010.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
However, four of the signatories spurned the agreement and resumed fighting after the 2021 army takeover.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for signatory
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Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
As of Thursday morning, the letter had 4,194 total signatories after launching on April 13 with 1,000 names.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Just look at the Giving Pledge—the commitment, cofounded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, that asks the ultrawealthy to donate at least 50% of their fortunes—has attracted more than 250 signatories since its launch in 2010.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
However, four of the signatories spurned the agreement and resumed fighting after the 2021 army takeover.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for signatory
Cite this Entry
“Signatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signatory. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
signatory
noun
sig·na·to·ry
ˈsig-nə-ˌtōr-ē 
plural signatories
: a signer with another or others
signatories to a petition
especially
: a government bound with others by a signed convention
signatory
adjective
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