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).
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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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As a result, you’re forced to sit with whatever comes to mind, including the fear of death and fundamental questions about the meaning of life, says Lurie.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
12 Mar. 2026
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For someone who could easily lean into vanity given the attention his appearance draws, Tan’s words focused not on looks but on meaning, presence and peace.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some of the messages of support seemed motivated by a sense of friendship, or at least celebrity-class solidarity.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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For some, the fact that she was left out makes no sense.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Given toads held special significance of toads in many southwestern Chinese cultures, archaeologists had to deduce that the drum carried not only music, but deeper messages and meanings.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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And yet what emerges from this elemental minorness is an art form with its own significance.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Mar. 2026
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It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Your 2nd House of Production steadies as this emotional New Moon encourages you to set money intentions and reconnect with values that align with your spending habits.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Four years ago, a man was arrested outside the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh with the intention of assassinating him.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hensley made 23 saves and the Frost held off a furious rally from the New York Sirens to win 4-3 in front of 15,512 fans — another statement of intent for this city and its hope to land a professional women’s hockey team in the near future.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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Three plaintiffs, two of whom are minors, accuse xAI of distributing, possessing and producing with intent to distribute child pornography.—
Faiz Siddiqui,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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