sig ‧ na ‧ ture S3 /ˈsɪɡnətʃə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ sign , ↑ signal , ↑ signatory , ↑ signature , ↑ signing , ↑ signaller ; verb : ↑ sign , ↑ signal ; adverb : ↑ signally ; adjective : signed ≠ ↑ unsigned ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Medieval Latin signatura , from Latin signare ; ⇨ ↑ sign 2 ]
1 . [countable] your name written in the way you usually write it, for example at the end of a letter, or on a cheque etc, to show that you have written it:
Her signature is totally illegible (=cannot be read) .
The school collected 4,000 signatures for the petition.
The Ukrainians put their signatures to the Lisbon Protocol.
Someone’s forged my signature (=made an illegal copy of my name to deceive people) on this letter.
Each child must obtain the signature of his or her parents.
2 . [uncountable] formal the act of signing something
for signature
We will send you a copy of the agreement for signature.
3 . [countable usually singular] something that is closely related to an event, person, or style:
Smith’s signature singing style
⇨ ↑ key signature , ↑ time signature