insignia

noun

in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə 

variants or less commonly insigne

in-ˈsig-(ˌ)nē 

plural insignia or insignias

1

: a badge of authority or honor

2

: a distinguishing mark or sign

Did you know?

Insignia are the official signs of rank, titles, or awards. Medals are an example, as are the crowns of monarchs. The Catholic church employs such insignia as the red robes of cardinals. U.S. presidents have the presidential seal, which appears on the stand when they're giving a speech. But most of us think first of the bars, stripes, badges, and patches of military rank.

Examples of insignia in a Sentence

Their jackets have the school's insignia on the front.

Recent Examples on the Web

Partial to pink, especially hot pink, Hecker was also high on anything with heart insignias. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025

The Vatican does still release sede vacante coins, however, featuring the same parasol insignia, now on a Euro. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2024

Russian medals, insignia, military whatnots, uniform caps for sale— memorabilia = cherished, no matter what. —Marianne Boruch, The New York Review of Books, 20 Feb. 2025

Footage verified from social media illustrates the RSF’s advance; videos show armed fighters wearing the RSF’s hallmark tan camouflage and insignia capturing a militia outpost on the edge of the camp. —Avery Schmitz, Aleena Fayaz and Kaila Nichols, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin insignia, plural of insigne mark, badge, from neuter of insignis marked, distinguished, from in- + signum mark — more at sign

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

insignia

noun

in·​sig·​nia in-ˈsig-nē-ə 

plural insignia or insignias

: an emblem of a special authority, office, or honor : badge