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

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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

Related Articles Kicking off this latest chapter, the brand unveiled a new logo centered around the M insignia and appointed Alexa Chung, who is of Chinese descent, a brand ambassador. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025

Found among the royal accessories were insignia made for these rulers’ burial chambers. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

The crown is engraved with the Dior logo, and a blue sapphire crystal caseback featuring a rose gold Dior insignia at the center. —Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

The bald eagle is featured on American military insignia, currency, stamps and even the helmets of an NFL team. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2024

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