signatory

noun

sig·​na·​to·​ry ˈsig-nə-ˌtȯr-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

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

Swalwell and Porter are signatories to the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Several petition signatories gathered for a press conference Thursday afternoon in Federal Plaza. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

But when asked about the letter this month, the signatories contacted refused to comment. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

The signatories of Tuesday’s letter categorically rejected the use of military intervention. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin signatorius of sealing, from signare

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for signatory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory

Legal 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