1
a
: a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known
b
c
: a fundamental linguistic unit that designates an object or relation or has a purely syntactic function
signs include words, morphemes, and punctuation
d
: one of a set of gestures used to represent language
also
: sign language
2
: a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion
3
: one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac
4
a(1)
: a character (such as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation
(2)
: segno
b
: a character (such as ÷) indicating a mathematical operation
also
: one of two characters + and − that form part of the symbol of a number and characterize it as positive or negative
5
a
: a display (such as a lettered board or a configuration of neon tubing) used to identify or advertise a place of business or a product
b
: a posted command, warning, or direction
c
6
7
plural usually sign
: traces of a usually wild animal
red fox sign
signed; signing; signs
1
2
a
: to affix a signature to : ratify or attest by hand or seal
sign a bill into law
sign a confession
b
: to assign or convey formally
signed over his property to his brother
c
: to write down (one's name)
d
: to affix one's name to
a signed review
3
: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language
4
: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment
—often used with up or on
1
: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation
signed for the packages
signed with the team for one season
2
a
: to make a sign or signal
b
: to use sign language
Synonyms
Examples of sign in a Sentence
Noun
The sign in the store window says “OPEN.”
After you get off the highway, follow the signs for Route 25.
He ran the stop sign.
There was a “For Sale” sign on the car.
All the signs point to him as the guilty party.
She ignored me, which was a sure sign that she was mad at me.
“The company called me in for a second interview.” “That's a good sign.”
It was a bad sign that he couldn't walk on the injured leg.
There are plenty of warning signs that the company is in danger of bankruptcy.
They bowed before the king as a sign of respect.
Verb
Sign your name on the bottom line.
She met with fans and signed autographs.
Please sign at the bottom of the application.
You forgot to sign the document.
He was forced to sign the confession.
The contract was signed by both parties.
The author will be signing copies of his books today.
The contract should be signed, sealed, and delivered by tomorrow.
The team signed the pitcher to a three-year contract.
He is signed to a three-year contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
But one of the team’s top prospects, defenseman Owen Pickering, was just recalled from the AHL, a sign that the Pens want to get younger.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 15 Nov. 2024
Abbott on signed a bill to permanently allow Texans to drink and roam.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sign 
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.
Noun
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more noticeable signs of contamination are visible mold spots, an unpleasant smell, cloudy water, or an off-putting taste.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024
But one of the team’s top prospects, defenseman Owen Pickering, was just recalled from the AHL, a sign that the Pens want to get younger.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
Luxury-real-estate shoppers, in fact, seem to have had a little spring in their step: signing 39 Manhattan contracts, more than anytime since March, according to Donna Olshan, who tracks the Manhattan luxury-real-estate market.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 15 Nov. 2024
Abbott on signed a bill to permanently allow Texans to drink and roam.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sign
Articles Related to sign
Dictionary Entries Near sign
Cite this Entry
“Sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sign
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a motion, action, or movement of the hand by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known
made a sign for them to be quiet
c
2
: a mark having a generally understood meaning and used in place of words
3
: one of the 12 parts of the zodiac
4
a
: a symbol (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation
b
: a symbol (as ÷ or √‾) indicating a mathematical operation
also
: one of two symbols + and − characterizing a number as positive or negative
5
: a public notice that advertises something or gives information
6
a
: something that indicates what is present or is to come
no sign of life
first signs of spring
b
: something that provides evidence of plant or animal disease
sign
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to make or place a sign on
b
: to represent or indicate by a sign
2
: to write one's name on to show that one accepts, agrees with, or is responsible for
sign a check
sign a letter
sign a contract
3
: to hire by getting to sign something (as a contract)
sign a new ball player
4
: to use sign language
signer
noun
Etymology
Noun
Middle English signe "a gesture that conveys a thought or command," from early French signe (same meaning), from Latin signum "mark, sign, image" — related to designate, seal entry 3, signal entry 1, significant
Medical Definition
sign
noun1
: one of a set of gestures used to represent language
2
: an objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer
narrow retinal vessels are a sign of arteriosclerosis
see brudzinski sign, chvostek's sign, homans' sign, kernig sign, physical sign, placental sign, romberg's sign, tinel's sign, vital signs, von graefe's sign compare symptom
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