insignia
noun
in·sig·nia
in-ˈsig-nē-ə 
variants
or less commonly insigne
plural insignia or insignias
1
: a badge of authority or honor
2
: a distinguishing mark or sign
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Insignia are the official signs of rank, titles, or awards. Medals are an example, as are the crowns of monarchs. The Catholic church employs such insignia as the red robes of cardinals. U.S. presidents have the presidential seal, which appears on the stand when they're giving a speech. But most of us think first of the bars, stripes, badges, and patches of military rank.
Examples of insignia in a Sentence
Their jackets have the school's insignia on the front.
Recent Examples on the Web
Items submerged for centuries As well as evidence of the battle, Uldum and his colleagues also discovered a host of objects linked to the Dannebroge’s crew, including shoes, fragments of clothing, clay pipes and uniform insignia.
—
Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Though her official title was Her Majesty’s personal assistant, adviser, and curator (jewelry, insignias, and wardrobe), Angela Kelly was much more than a servant to Queen Elizabeth, her boss of almost 30 years.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military chaplains would no longer display their rank insignia.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
That man did not have any insignia identifying him as an ICE agent.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insignia
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Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Though her official title was Her Majesty’s personal assistant, adviser, and curator (jewelry, insignias, and wardrobe), Angela Kelly was much more than a servant to Queen Elizabeth, her boss of almost 30 years.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military chaplains would no longer display their rank insignia.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
That man did not have any insignia identifying him as an ICE agent.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insignia
Cite this Entry
“Insignia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insignia. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insignia
noun
in·sig·nia
in-ˈsig-nē-ə
plural insignia or insignias
: an emblem of a special authority, office, or honor : badge
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