signification

American  

[sig-nuh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌsɪg nə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. meaning; import; sense.

2. the act or fact of signifying; indication.

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signification British  

/ ˌsɪɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. something that is signified; meaning or sense

2. the act of signifying

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Other Word Forms

• nonsignification noun

Etymology

Origin of signification

1250–1300; Middle English significacion (< Old French signification, significaciun ) < Latin significātiōn- (stem of significātiō ) signal, emphasis, meaning, equivalent to significāt ( us ), past participle of significāre to signify ( see -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Saussure held that there were structural laws that define how linguistic signification operated; the semiotics of Saussure and Pierce were the means of discovering these laws.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

The apartment signs of L.A. announce location through flair, decadence, strangeness, absurdity, signification.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2022

Census Bureau recorded signification population loss from its 2000 to 2020 counts.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2021

Homeless people and those who were sick or older make up a signification portion of the death toll.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2021

Cælius Rhodiginus when busied in his interpretation of Pliny, could only find the proper signification of the word ectrapali in his slumbers.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)