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insignia

insignia

25 7.1
A badge worn to show official rank or group membership
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈsɪɡniə/
translation icon : insignia
  • Judd peered through the darkness at the GC insignia on the side of the chopper.
  • royal insignia
  • official insignia
  • college insignia

Critically, a tan leather knife sheath stamped with the US Marine Corps Insignia was found lying next to Maddie Morgan's bed.

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Examples

Synonyms

badge
vsinsignia
578 1.4

A small sign that shows someone's membership, rank or achievement

is more narrowly about marks that show official position or membership specifically
emblem
vsinsignia
42 4.0

A visible thing with a design that represents a group, idea or quality

focuses on worn marks that show official position or membership rather than symbols
stripe
vsinsignia
41 3.2

A narrow band on a uniform showing a person's military rank or years of service

covers all types of distinguishing marks, not only linear fabric strips
chevron
vsinsignia
3 6.6

A V-shaped badge used on uniforms to show rank

is the overall term for marks denoting official role rather than shapes
shoulder patch
vsinsignia
  • US
1 4.2

A cloth badge on a uniform shoulder showing rank or group

is more general and not limited to patches or shoulder placement
blazon
vsinsignia
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A special symbol like a family shield that shows who the group is

is the practical worn mark used to show rank or membership, not just description
insignia of rank
vsinsignia
5.5

A badge worn on a uniform that shows a person's military rank

is the general distinguishing mark for official position, rank, or membership
grade insignia
vsinsignia
  • Jargon
7.2

A V-shaped badge on a sleeve that shows a military person's rank and years of service

is broader, covering any distinguishing mark beyond that specific shape or place
shoulder mark
vsinsignia
  • UK
6.7

A small cloth or badge on the shoulder of a uniform that shows rank

is the wider category of any mark worn to show rank or membership
hashmark
vsinsignia
  • US
8.4

A stripe on a uniform showing how many years someone has served

is the general mark for position or membership, not only service length

Compounds

7.2

A V-shaped badge on a sleeve that shows a military person's rank and years of service

A badge worn on a uniform that shows a person's military rank

How Official

insignia
25 7.1
crest
  • Specialized
26 9.0
emblem
42 4.0
pin
153 1.0

Surface Forms

insignia singular
insignias plural

Etymology

Insignia comes from the Latin root signum, meaning 'sign' or 'mark', with the in- part meaning 'on' or 'in'. It is the same root as the English word sign, so an insignia is a special 'mark' or badge you wear to show rank or membership.