(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
"After checking my horoscope, I realized that my birthday falls under the fiery sign of Leo."
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
"there were no signs of asphyxiation"
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
"he hoped it was an augury"
"it was a sign from God"
a gesture that is part of a sign language
"She tapped her cheek to show the letter 'C' in American Sign Language before signing the rest of her name."
a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified
"The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"
A perceptible (e.g. visibile) indication.
"The dark clouds overhead were a clear sign that a storm was approaching."
In plain English: A sign is a symbol, word, or gesture that shows you something is happening or tells you what to do.
"The store has a big sign that says "Open 24 hours.""
Usage: Use sign to refer to any visible or audible indicator that something exists, such as smoke signaling fire. This noun is often confused with the verb form when people need a word for an agreement rather than evidence; use "signature" instead if referring to a written name on a document.
be engaged by a written agreement
"He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"
"The soprano signed to sing the new opera"
communicate in sign language
"I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
To make a mark
"Before leaving, she paused to sign her name on the guestbook."
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
"The notary asked me to sign the contract by placing my official seal on the bottom page."
In plain English: To sign means to put your signature on something to show you agree with it or own it.
"She signed her name at the bottom of the contract."
used of the language of the deaf
"After years of study, Maya finally earned her certification to interpret sign for the local community theater production."
The word "sign" entered English through Middle English and Old French, all tracing back to the Latin signum, which originally meant a mark or token. It arrived alongside its Germanic cousin from Old English but eventually became the dominant form for this concept in modern usage.