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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Recent Examples of signification
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
On March 25, the agency warned Pfizer (PFE) of signification violations at its Hospira facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which makes sterile injectable medicines.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2020
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
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
On March 25, the agency warned Pfizer (PFE) of signification violations at its Hospira facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which makes sterile injectable medicines.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2020
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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Actively choose intentionality and meaning.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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At a time when loneliness and isolation are rising around the world, families—though never perfect—remain one of life’s strongest sources of stability and meaning.—
Russell M. Nelson,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bryce Young has to be better After building up an immense sense of goodwill, locally and nationally, with his second-half performance from last year, Young essentially melted away in the Jacksonville heat.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Giving people a greater sense of agency.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Many of these local gems are cozy relics that house unique pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia, hold a coveted aesthetic or have historical significance.—
Olivia Lee,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
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What was the significance of being able to share these memories with him?—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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A lot of true crime content is salacious and gory, full of reenactments and shock.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Illusion Of Understanding Our minds are prone to systematic errors — cognitive biases that lead us astray despite our best intentions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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It was created with the intention of promoting AI fluency and a future-ready, AI-confident workforce.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Rupert and Lachlan’s attorneys stated their intent to appeal immediately.—
Martina Di Licosa,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Another goal for the group is to create a widespread medical definition of genocide that emphasizes prevention over intent, Jboor said.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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