as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
we should assume that the author is using the word in its ordinary signification
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of signification
Both artists draw from their Renaissance references to take up the significations of light, mass, and scale.
—
Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The result is a concept devoid of signification on its own terms.
—Literary Hub, 24 Mar. 2026
More Samuel Corum/Getty Images The final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, contains signification revisions and rescissions to clean energy grant programs enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
William is studying Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and writing a thesis on the theory of signification.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
What once had been a multitude of beings with varying cultural and spiritual significations—not to mention consciousnesses of their own—became commodities that held value only when inserted into a by-now self-propelling and endlessly expanding market.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
The apartment signs of L.A. announce location through flair, decadence, strangeness, absurdity, signification.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022
But oranges, which were a delicacy that Leonardo may have seen firsthand at the table of the Duke of Milan, bore significance in the history of painting beyond their signification of luxury.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021
Location accuracy improved from there on out, with a signification portion of the data from the remainder of the experiment being within three miles of the craft’s true location.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2018
Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The result is a concept devoid of signification on its own terms.
—Literary Hub, 24 Mar. 2026
More Samuel Corum/Getty Images The final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, contains signification revisions and rescissions to clean energy grant programs enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
William is studying Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and writing a thesis on the theory of signification.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
What once had been a multitude of beings with varying cultural and spiritual significations—not to mention consciousnesses of their own—became commodities that held value only when inserted into a by-now self-propelling and endlessly expanding market.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
The apartment signs of L.A. announce location through flair, decadence, strangeness, absurdity, signification.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022
But oranges, which were a delicacy that Leonardo may have seen firsthand at the table of the Duke of Milan, bore significance in the history of painting beyond their signification of luxury.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021
Location accuracy improved from there on out, with a signification portion of the data from the remainder of the experiment being within three miles of the craft’s true location.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signification
Noun
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But for many, the occasion carried a deeper meaning, one centered on those who dreamed of connecting Los Angeles to Chicago by road generations before them.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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But for Hall, the meaning ran deeper, tied back to something far bigger than a stat sheet.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep the conversation moving, and let flexibility strengthen your position and perspective while maintaining your sense of balance and fairness.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Totem poles, after all, marked sites of significance.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Nearby, a group of friends dressed up for a different aspect of the day’s significance.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
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This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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With that, Burch invited Wintour, her longtime friend, the chief content officer of Condé Nast, and Vogue’s global editorial director, to accept her award.—
Jenna Adrian-Diaz,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ask one clarifying question today, then respond with intention so the conversation leads somewhere useful.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Corn-Revere, who is now chief counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, is not alone in his assessment of Carr’s intentions.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Philadelphia came in intent on running everything through Joel Embiid.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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Church’s landscapes themselves had pedagogical intent, and the lessons were not just scientific but ethical, spiritual, patriotic.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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