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signpost

/ˌsaɪnˈpoʊst/
/ˈsaɪnpəʊst/
IPA guide

Other forms: signposts; signposted; signposting

A signpost is a raised marker on the side of a road that provides some kind of information — like how many miles you have to travel to a landmark (like the golden arches of McDonald's).

A signpost can mark a historical site, a business, or the distance to a city. Smaller roads that meet at an intersection or crossroads often have a signpost marked with arrows and town names, making it clear which direction you should go. Sometimes signpost is used figuratively, to mean an indicator or hint: "The mayor's vote to fund a new school acted as a signpost to her feelings about education in general."

Definitions of signpost
  1. noun
    a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way
    synonyms: guidepost
    see moresee less
    types:
    fingerboard, fingerpost
    a guidepost resembling a hand with a pointing index finger
    type of:
    sign
    a public display of a message
  2. verb
    mark with a signpost, as of a path
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mark
    designate as if by a mark
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘signpost'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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