semiology

American  

[see-mee-ol-uh-jee, sem-ee-, see-mahy-] / ˌsi miˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌsɛm i-, ˌsi maɪ- /

Or semeiology

noun

1. the study of signs and symbols; semiotics.

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semiology British  

/ ˌsiːmɪ-, ˌsɛmɪəˈlɒdʒɪk, ˌsɛmɪˈɒlədʒɪ, ˌsiːmɪ- /

noun

1. another word for semiotics

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Other Word Forms

• semiologic adjective
• semiological adjective
• semiologist noun

Etymology

Origin of semiology

1885–90; < Greek sēmeîo ( n ) sign + -logy

Example Sentences

And in the semiology of clothing, a dress often suggests “woman.”

From New York Times

At that time I was in graduate school, preparing my dissertation in the semiology of cinema.

From Salon

There’s even a new word — the “mangeosphère,” or roughly the eating sphere — coined by the French daily Le Monde for these discussions on the semiology of a ham sandwich or an apple.

From New York Times

A heart pendant made of rhinestones and poured glass, part of the semiology Saint Laurent used to designate a favorite model in a runway show, joined a display of replica jewels.

From New York Times

Indeed, one of the most striking aspects of the show is how familiar most of the clothing semiology is.

From New York Times