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¹sign

noun \ˈsīn\

: a piece of paper, wood, etc., with words or pictures on it that gives information about something

: something (such as an action or event) which shows that something else exists, is true, or will happen

: a motion, action, or movement that you use to express a thought, command, or wish

Full Definition of SIGN

a : a motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known

b : signal 2a

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

: a mark having a conventional meaning and used in place of words or to represent a complex notion

: one of the 12 divisions of the zodiac

a (1) : a character (as a flat or sharp) used in musical notation (2) : segno

b : a character (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

a : a display (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 : signboard

a : something material or external that stands for or signifies something spiritual

b : something indicating the presence or existence of something else <signs of success> <a sign of the times>

c : presage, portent <signs of an early spring>

d : an objective evidence of plant or animal disease

plural usually sign : traces of a usually wild animal <red fox sign>

See sign defined for English-language learners

See sign defined for kids

Origin of SIGN

Middle English signe, from Anglo-French, from Latin signum mark, token, sign, image, seal; perhaps akin to Latin secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SIGN

Synonyms: gesticulation, mime, pantomime, gesture, signal

Synonym Discussion of SIGN

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason <encouraging signs for the economy>. mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance <a mark of a good upbringing>. token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible <this gift is a token of our esteem>. note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic <a note of irony in her writing>. symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition <rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay>.

Rhymes with SIGN

bine, brine, chine, cline, dine, dyne, fine, Jain, line, Main, mine, nine, pine, Quine, Rhine, rind, shine, shrine, spine, spline, stein, swine, syne, thine, tine, trine, twine, vine, whine, wine

²sign

verb

: to write (your name) on something

: to write your name on (something) especially to show that you accept, agree with, or will be responsible for something

: to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract

Full Definition of SIGN

transitive verb

a : cross 2

b : to place a sign on or mark by signs <sign a trail>

c : to represent or indicate by a sign

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>

: to communicate by making a sign or by sign language

: to engage or hire by securing the signature of on a contract of employment —often used with up or on

intransitive verb

: to write one's name in token of assent, responsibility, or obligation <signed for the packages> <signed with the team for one season>

a : to make a sign or signal

b : to use sign language

— sign·ee \ˌsī-ˈnē\ noun

— sign·er \ˈsī-nər\ noun

See sign defined for English-language learners

Origin of SIGN

Middle English, from Anglo-French signer, from Latin signare to mark, sign, seal, from signum

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SIGN

Synonyms: autograph, ink, subscribe

SIGN Defined for Kids

¹sign

noun \ˈsīn\

Definition of SIGN for Kids

: a motion, action, or movement of the hand that means something <The teacher made a sign for them to be quiet.>

: a public notice that advertises something or gives information <a stop sign>

: something that indicates what is present or is to come <the first signs of spring>

: a symbol (as + or ÷) indicating a mathematical operation

: one of the twelve parts of the zodiac

Word Root of SIGN

The Latin word signum, meaning “mark” or “indication,” gives us the root sign. Words from the Latin signum have something to do with marks, signs, or indications. A sign is a move of the hand that indicates something to others. To designate is to mark someone or something for a special purpose. A signal is an indication that an action should begin.

²sign

verb

signedsign·ing

Definition of SIGN for Kids

: to put a signature on to show acceptance, agreement, or responsibility <His boss signed the order form.>

: to communicate by using sign language

: to represent or show by a motion, action, or movement

: to make or place a sign on

— sign up

: to sign someone's name in order to get, do, or take something <I signed up to go.>

Medical Dictionary

sign

noun \ˈsīn\

Medical Definition of SIGN

: one of a set of gestures used to represent language

: 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