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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signification
Noun
-
As values and priorities shift, younger generations want more meaning, alignment, and employer support.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Every shape, every color seemed to have a secret meaning.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Named for Joséphine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon, who was known for her sophisticated sense of fashion and patronage of the arts, this first-floor suite has a king-size bed, a separate dressing room, and a living area perfect for lounging around.—
Meredith Lepore,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Mar. 2025
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Harrison, too, expressed a sense that the odds were stacked against her, and getting worse all the time.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Those three words — Neptune enters Aries — aren’t big enough to explain this significance.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Social media is a cornerstone of any successful marketing strategy, and in 2025, its significance will only grow.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Tate is mentioned explicitly in the series when police try to describe what kind of content Jamie might have been exposed to.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The intention was clear: Everyone was about to process some deeply felt emotion.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
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The intention is that participating companies will place the appropriate Accessible Games Initiative tags near their game product information – for example on digital storefronts, product pages or digital catalogues.—
Andy Robertson,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The former boarding school was established by the Rev. Thomas Johnson, and housed students from 22 tribes and forced them to perform manual labor, with the intent of assimilating the children into white American culture and Christianity.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2025
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Aside from the incredible expense of achieving a credible European defense posture without U.S. military support, even voicing such an intent risks hastening a total divorce that would threaten the security of both Europe and North America.—
Michael E. O’Hanlon,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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