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.
Senate Democrats and Republicans have been mired in a bitter dispute over a government funding bill, with Democrats refusing to sign on unless changes were made to certain health care policies, including Medicaid and subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act. Keisha Rowe, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025 Joe demanded that there should be warning signs on electronic device packaging, showcasing the dangers of using the items around water. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 Mercury and Jupiter both enter your sign on the 8th and 9th respectively, bringing mental clarity and lucky breaks your way. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 Ultimately, Hamas may have strategic reasons for signing on to the deal. Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 1 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 3 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!