signpost
Americannoun
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a post bearing a sign that shows the way, as at a roadside
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something that serves as a clue or indication; sign
verb
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to mark with signposts
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to indicate direction towards
the camp site is signposted from the road
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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signpostsimple
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signpostssimple
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have signpostedperfect
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has signpostedperfect
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am signpostingprogressive
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are signpostingprogressive
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is signpostingprogressive
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have been signpostingperfect progressive
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has been signpostingperfect progressive
Past
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signpostedsimple
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had signpostedperfect
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was signpostingprogressive
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were signpostingprogressive
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had been signpostingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of signpost
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
There is currently no legal obligation for streaming platforms to label AI-generated songs, despite increasing calls for them to signpost such tracks.
From BBC • Nov. 21, 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
I see the signpost at the corner, right in front of our house: American Street and Joy Road.
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
