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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signification
Noun
-
The question of the meaning of life continues unabated.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
That term can have a number of meanings, and even though Carr has suggested a proceeding to define it, that hasn’t happened.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Such easy overlap between juror and filmmaker speaks to a wider festival goal toward building a real sense of community within the genre world.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
14 July 2025
-
Other migrant families have found the same sense of stability in the city of nearly 2 million inhabitants.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Noun
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However, the first part of the question provides a glimpse into the university’s attitude towards AI: by launching an institutional initiative, Duke acknowledges its growing significance and the need to critically engage with its ethical conundrums.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
But his sweet gesture fell flat when Brie failed to grasp the significance of the mask.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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This association is attributed to the polyphenol content present in these fruits.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
23 July 2025
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Students will be challenged to think about how to create compelling content around class material in a short form video and instructors can even create a competition around which content gets the most organic views.—
Sergei Revzin,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
She’s learned to create boundaries, prioritize her time, and live with intention.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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Specifically, it’s been the fifth-round pick’s versatility and intention that has stood out to Schottenheimer.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Musk announced in July his intent to move some of his companies’ headquarters to Texas.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Gille was arraigned on one count of felony terrorism and 11 counts of assault with intent to murder in Grand Traverse County 86th District Court on Monday, July 28.—
Amy Huschka,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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