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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military chaplains would no longer display their rank insignia. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

That man did not have any insignia identifying him as an ICE agent. —Lauren Victory, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

The latest to take up an insignia is Nicole Kidman, star of Prime Video’s new eight-part Patricia Cornwell adaptation, Scarpetta. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

In mid-December, viewers of social media saw Duffy slide behind the wheel of a sleek, black, limited-edition Corvette, imbued with patriotic insignia to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026

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