signpost

American  

[sahyn-pohst] / ˈsaɪnˌpoʊst /

noun

1. a post bearing a sign that gives information or guidance.

2. any immediately perceptible indication, obvious clue, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to provide (a place, route, etc.) with signposts.

signpost British  

/ ˈsaɪnˌpəʊst /

noun

1. a post bearing a sign that shows the way, as at a roadside

2. something that serves as a clue or indication; sign

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verb

1. to mark with signposts

2. to indicate direction towards

   the camp site is signposted from the road

Etymology

Origin of signpost

First recorded in 1610–20; sign + post ¹

Explanation

A signpost is a raised marker on the side of a road that provides some kind of information — like how many miles you have to travel to a landmark (like the golden arches of McDonald's). A signpost can mark a historical site, a business, or the distance to a city. Smaller roads that meet at an intersection or crossroads often have a signpost marked with arrows and town names, making it clear which direction you should go. Sometimes signpost is used figuratively, to mean an indicator or hint: "The mayor's vote to fund a new school acted as a signpost to her feelings about education in general."

Example Sentences

On the side of a dirt road near Felix's farm, a large signpost warned ominously: "Foot-and-mouth disease control area".

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

What I was thinking, in fact, was that I was quite underwhelmed by the faded red curbs as a signpost for progress.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

This surely gives a signpost to the way forward.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Regardless of the sticker we slap on this signpost, it refers to the late-20s urge to commit to your path or trash it and start fresh.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2025

The art of classic prose is to signpost sparingly, as we do in conversation, and with a minimum of metadiscourse.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• catalog
• clue
• directory
• guidebook
• handbook
• key
• manual