signature

American  

[sig-nuh-cher, -choor] / ˈsɪg nə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

• signatures
  plural

1. a person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

2. the act of signing a document.

3. Music. a sign or set of signs at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key or the time of a piece.

4. Radio. a song, musical arrangement, sound effect, etc., used as a theme identifying a program.

5. any unique, distinguishing aspect, feature, or mark.

6. Medicine/Medical. that part of a written prescription that specifies directions for use.

7. Biology, Medicine/Medical. a distinctive characteristic or set of characteristics by which a biological structure or medical condition is recognized.

8. Also called section.  Bookbinding. a printed sheet folded to page size for binding together, with other such sheets, to form a book, magazine, etc.

9. Printing.

   1. a letter or other symbol generally placed by the printer at the foot of the first page of every sheet to guide the binder in folding the sheets and in gathering them in sequence.

   2. a sheet so marked.

10. Chemistry, Physics. a characteristic trace or sign that indicates the presence of a substance or the occurrence of a physical process or event.

    The satellite recorded a spectrum that is the signature of a nuclear explosion.

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adjective

1. serving to identify or distinguish a person, group, etc..

   a signature tune.

signature British  

/ ˈsɪɡnɪtʃə /

noun

1. the name of a person or a mark or sign representing his name, marked by himself or by an authorized deputy

2. the act of signing one's name

3. 1. a distinctive mark, characteristic, etc, that identifies a person or thing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a signature fragrance

4. music See key signature time signature

5. Abbreviation: Sig.   S.  the part of a medical prescription that instructs a patient how frequently and in what amounts he should take a drug or agent

6. printing

   1. a sheet of paper printed with several pages that upon folding will become a section or sections of a book

   2. such a sheet so folded

   3. a mark, esp a letter, printed on the first page of a signature

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• signatureless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• signatures
  plural

Etymology

Origin of signature

1525–35; < Medieval Latin signātūra a signing, equivalent to Latin signāt ( us ) past participle of signāre to mark ( see sign, -ate ¹) + -ūra -ure

Explanation

When you sign your name in your own handwriting, that is your signature. Things you can put your signature on include checks, permission slips, letters, stays of execution, and declarations of independence. Signature isn't just about signing your name on the dotted line. A characteristic mark, tune, or style is also called a signature. Perhaps you have a favorite outfit or style that you consider your signature look. "I Did It My Way" was a signature tune of Frank Sinatra. In music, the signature indicates what key the song is set in by showing the sharps and flats.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

signature signatures

Visit the restaurant inside Vermelho Hotel, Christian Louboutin’s 13-room jewel-box of an inn in Melides, and order one of the region’s signature rice dishes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Grab one of the show’s signature Jamba Juices and settle in.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

The bill is currently awaiting the signature or veto of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026

The bout was billed as a classic grappler versus striker match-up, with Makhachev's signature wrestling providing the backbone for his dominant run in the UFC.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Figure 1.58: Normally, a composer who wants to put more or fewer beats in a measure must change the time signature, as in this example from Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Separately, a petition demanding an immediate public inquiry into the media coverage of Ardsay had gathered over 83,000 signatures Monday including MP Diane Abbott and Green Party leader Zack Polanski.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

After signatures close, the document will be introduced in the House of Commons by lone Green Party lawmaker Elizabeth May.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

If it reaches at least 500 valid signatures, it is then presented in the House and requires a government response.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

These surviving signatures offer valuable clues about the long and complicated history shared by humans and dogs.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

She organized a group of sixty women who canvassed the state of New York, collecting ten thousand signatures on petitions.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• autograph
• identification
• ink
• name
• seal
• stamp
• trademark