insignia

noun

in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə How to pronounce insignia (audio)
variants or less commonly insigne
in-ˈsig-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce insignia (audio)
plural insignia or insignias
Synonyms of insignianext
1
: a badge of authority or honor
2
: a distinguishing mark or sign

Did you know?

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The front of the bracelet features the shock resistant insignia that symbolizes the first G-Shock model, while the back of the bracelet has a brick pattern. — Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Hollywood frequently gives the franchise free product placement putting the white-on-navy insignia on characters in movies and television shows, furthering its cultural reach. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 Detectives found a Ka-Bar brand leather knife sheath that included the U.S. Marine Corps stamped insignia at the crime scene in Moscow next to one of the victims and later discovered DNA on its button snap, according to a probable cause affidavit. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2025 For the smiley insignia here is the mark of notorious Happy Face serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insignia

Word History

Etymology

Latin insignia, plural of insigne mark, badge, from neuter of insignis marked, distinguished, from in- + signum mark — more at sign

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insignia was in 1648

Browse Nearby Words

insightful
insignia
insignificance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insignia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insignia. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

insignia

noun
in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə How to pronounce insignia (audio)
plural insignia or insignias
: an emblem of a special authority, office, or honor : badge

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for insignia

Nglish: Translation of insignia for Spanish Speakers

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