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
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
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
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
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
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
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That’s not to say the decisions were easy and lacked a sense of foreboding.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
February 19 – March 20 Small choices today create a sense of ease that lasts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This remarkable find was unearthed at the earliest military camp discovered in the area, which holds national significance due to its Roman remains.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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Britain’s strategic significance for the United States eroded further with Brexit, starting in 2016 with the approval of a referendum to leave the European Union and the formal withdrawal four years later.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 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
-
In 2018, the Eagles had the same intent with an Australian rugby player named Jordan Mailata, who had never played football before.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The White House said Sunday that Allen’s brother contacted the New London Police Department in Connecticut prior to the shooting, reporting that Allen had sent family members an alleged manifesto outlining his intent to target administration officials.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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