English Lexicon

Signpost

/ˈsaɪn.poʊst/
nounverbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A post bearing a sign that gives information, such as the direction and distance to nearby towns.

    "The traveler stopped at the crossroad to check the signpost for directions to the village."
  2. 2

    A guide or indicator that helps someone understand what will happen or what they should do next in a process or discussion.

    "The introduction acts as a useful signpost for the main themes of the essay."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from Middle English combining 'sign' (from Old French/Latin signum) and 'post' (from Old English post/Latin postis). Historically evolved from physical wooden posts bearing directions for travelers to a metaphorical device used in writing or speaking to guide an audience through complex arguments.

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