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
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Every shape, every color seemed to have a secret meaning.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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As values and priorities shift, younger generations want more meaning, alignment, and employer support.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His sharp sense of storytelling and visionary approach to content has consistently set him apart as a true leader.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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That has always been part of the Trumpist package of maybe not ideas in the sense of grand philosophies but certainly cultural ideas.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Levi Strauss Museum takes visitors through Strauss’ journey, from his birth to his immigration to the U.S. Floors are dedicated to the history of jeans, featuring rare piece, and highlight the garment’s socio-cultural significance.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
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Colossal is leaning into the pop culture significance of its invention, including setting up the pups for a photo shoot on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, courtesy of Peter Jackson.—
Adam Carlson,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Aside from right-wing content creators, Elon Musk’s ownership of X and whopping following of 218 million helps spread the president’s agenda.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Apr. 2025
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Having a strong support system is also key to managing the competing demands of parenthood and content creation.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While one reading of Xi is that his rhetoric is in part a strategic move to burnish Chinese power globally, labeling Taiwan as a renegade or breakaway province is, for many, a clear indication of an intention to invade and bring the island within the geography of Chinese sovereignty.—
Colin Flint,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2025
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Here’s how to make a course correction and grow with intention.—
Chintan Shah,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fragments will spread out, and the intent is to destroy as much of the heart as possible.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
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While the intent might be to keep the peace, the result is often emotional pressure — where neither person feels fully safe to be their whole, honest self.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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