signification
noun
sig·ni·fi·ca·tion
ˌsig-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of signifying by signs or other symbolic means
b
: a formal notification
2
: purport
especially
: the meaning that a term, symbol, or character regularly conveys or is intended to convey
3
chiefly dialectal
: importance, consequence
Synonyms
Examples of signification in a Sentence
we should assume that the author is using the word in its ordinary signification
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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
This self-signification is itself a paradox, insofar as Costa himself approaches the story of Vitalina with an utterly sealed-off, unbroken dramatic realism.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2020
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
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
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
This self-signification is itself a paradox, insofar as Costa himself approaches the story of Vitalina with an utterly sealed-off, unbroken dramatic realism.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'signification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of signification was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near signification
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signification. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
signification
noun
sig·ni·fi·ca·tion
ˌsig-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: the meaning that a term or symbol has or is meant to have
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