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⇱ SIGNATURE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


signature

American  
[sig-nuh-cher, -choor] / ˈsɪg nə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

  1. a person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

  2. the act of signing a document.

  3. Music. a sign or set of signs at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key or the time of a piece.

  4. Radio. a song, musical arrangement, sound effect, etc., used as a theme identifying a program.

  5. any unique, distinguishing aspect, feature, or mark.

  6. Medicine/Medical. that part of a written prescription that specifies directions for use.

  7. Biology, Medicine/Medical. a distinctive characteristic or set of characteristics by which a biological structure or medical condition is recognized.

  8. Also called sectionBookbinding. a printed sheet folded to page size for binding together, with other such sheets, to form a book, magazine, etc.

  9. Printing.

    1. a letter or other symbol generally placed by the printer at the foot of the first page of every sheet to guide the binder in folding the sheets and in gathering them in sequence.

    2. a sheet so marked.

  10. Chemistry, Physics. a characteristic trace or sign that indicates the presence of a substance or the occurrence of a physical process or event.

    The satellite recorded a spectrum that is the signature of a nuclear explosion.


adjective

  1. serving to identify or distinguish a person, group, etc..

    a signature tune.

signature British  
/ ˈsɪɡnɪtʃə /

noun

  1. the name of a person or a mark or sign representing his name, marked by himself or by an authorized deputy

  2. the act of signing one's name

    1. a distinctive mark, characteristic, etc, that identifies a person or thing

    2. ( as modifier )

      a signature fragrance

  3. music See key signature time signature

  4. Abbreviation: Sig.   S.  the part of a medical prescription that instructs a patient how frequently and in what amounts he should take a drug or agent

  5. printing

    1. a sheet of paper printed with several pages that upon folding will become a section or sections of a book

    2. such a sheet so folded

    3. a mark, esp a letter, printed on the first page of a signature

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • signatureless adjective

Etymology

Origin of signature

1525–35; < Medieval Latin signātūra a signing, equivalent to Latin signāt ( us ) past participle of signāre to mark ( sign, -ate 1 ) + -ūra -ure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A whiff of Cynthia’s signature scent, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, helped her remember her mom.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

A joint sitting of both houses of parliament on Saturday passed the bill changing the constitution, which now requires the president's signature, with 200 lawmakers voting in favour, 18 against and four abstaining.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

With “American Girl” and her previous single, “Pretty4U,” Day started to hone her signature sound.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Last week the Treasury announced Mr. Trump’s signature will appear on U.S. currency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The mural itself had been damaged in spots by all the wallpapering done over it, so she was not able to make out the artist’s signature.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.