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.
Example Sentences
Their jackets have the school's insignia on the front.
Recent Examples on the Web Some haven’t even bothered to remove the old Afghan army’s tricolor insignia. 
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 The previous ruling by the NLRB had said Walmart's justification for restricting union insignia on the selling floor to enhance the customer shopping experience and prevent theft or vandalism was legitimate. Reuters, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 Pretty and practical, this Gucci bag featuring the luxury house's iconic double G insignia, is constructed with durable canvas and comes equipped with a foldable padded changing mat and several interior and exterior compartments. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 24 Aug. 2022 Wilding emailed the library in May to ask for more provenance information and to request an image of the document’s watermark — an insignia visible when held to the light that can indicate where and when the paper was made. New York Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The online version of the story included a graphic in which the CIA insignia was superimposed over the image of a person smoking crack. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 To humiliate him for his transgression, other members stripped the fascist insignia from his uniform. Emily Langer, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2022 Tuesday’s drop consists of the first nine pairs from the retail collection, each of which fuses the shoe’s famous silhouette with luxurious materials and the Maison’s insignia. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 July 2022 Each morning, the Russians, some in uniforms bearing Rosatom’s insignia, have been pulling employees from their workstations, workers said. Drew Hinshaw, WSJ, 17 June 2022 See More
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 The previous ruling by the NLRB had said Walmart's justification for restricting union insignia on the selling floor to enhance the customer shopping experience and prevent theft or vandalism was legitimate. Reuters, CNN, 30 Aug. 2022 Pretty and practical, this Gucci bag featuring the luxury house's iconic double G insignia, is constructed with durable canvas and comes equipped with a foldable padded changing mat and several interior and exterior compartments. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 24 Aug. 2022 Wilding emailed the library in May to ask for more provenance information and to request an image of the document’s watermark — an insignia visible when held to the light that can indicate where and when the paper was made. New York Times, 17 Aug. 2022 The online version of the story included a graphic in which the CIA insignia was superimposed over the image of a person smoking crack. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 To humiliate him for his transgression, other members stripped the fascist insignia from his uniform. Emily Langer, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2022 Tuesday’s drop consists of the first nine pairs from the retail collection, each of which fuses the shoe’s famous silhouette with luxurious materials and the Maison’s insignia. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 July 2022 Each morning, the Russians, some in uniforms bearing Rosatom’s insignia, have been pulling employees from their workstations, workers said. Drew Hinshaw, WSJ, 17 June 2022 See More 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 certain office, authority, or honor
insignia
noun
as in badge
a sign which shows that a person is a member of a particular group or has a particular rank and that is often worn or displayed Their jackets have the school's insignia on the front. a military insignia Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- badge
- ribbon
- medal
- title
- crown
- medallion
- decoration
- laurel
- silver
- ensign
- gold
- bronze
- chevron
- star
- honor
- cockade
- clasp
- button
- order
- trophy
- rosette
- award
- color
- citation
- prize
- commendation
- distinction