signpost

1 of 2

noun

sign·​post ˈsīn-ˌpōst 

1

: a post (as at the fork of a road) with signs on it to direct travelers

2

: guide, beacon

3

: sign, indication

signpost

2 of 2

verb

signposted; signposting; signposts

transitive verb

: to provide with or as if with signposts or guides

Examples of signpost in a Sentence

Noun

The signpost says it is 10 miles to the city.

Verb

The road from here to London is well signposted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit goes well beyond the traditional signposts by adopting a quasi-Ealing feel to its superficially cozy country setting, and by showcasing the comically haughty side of the British aristocracy. —Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025

Ordonez told Deadline that Poland has been identified as a key emerging territory in Europe for Prime Video and so tonight’s event is an important signpost for the direction of traffic. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Here’s the thing: as is always the case with leftfield fashion trends that appear to rise up out of nowhere, the high fashion appropriation of Vibram toe shoes is signposting a collective mood shift in real time. —Julia Hobbs, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025

Other types of signposting, though, are less subtle. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1884, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

signpost

noun

sign·​post

ˈsīn-ˌpōst

1

: a post with signs on it to direct travelers

2

: something that points the way