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A signatory puts his or her signature on a document that is also signed by others. In 1215 the English barons revolted against King John and forced him to join them as a signatory to the Magna Carta. This agreement stated the barons' own duties to the King but also assigned the barons clear rights and limited the King's power over them. Though the Magna Carta did nothing for the common people, it's often been called the first step toward democracy in the English-speaking countries.
Examples of signatory in a Sentence
a signatory of the Declaration of Independence
Recent Examples on the Web
The signatories who spoke to CNN each expressed opposition to President Donald Trump’s directives to shutter Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility — or DEIA — initiatives.
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Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
President Trump was right to withdraw from the Obama administration’s misbegotten project in 2018—even though the EU signatories remain pledged to the zombie agreement to this day.
—John R. Bolton, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
Any nation joining this campaign that is also a signatory to the NPT would have to withdraw from that treaty, Bollfrass says.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But in exchange, signatories are entitled to engage in civilian nuclear activities, including having research or power reactors and access to the enriched uranium that drives them.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for signatory
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Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
President Trump was right to withdraw from the Obama administration’s misbegotten project in 2018—even though the EU signatories remain pledged to the zombie agreement to this day.
—John R. Bolton, The Atlantic, 9 July 2025
Any nation joining this campaign that is also a signatory to the NPT would have to withdraw from that treaty, Bollfrass says.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
But in exchange, signatories are entitled to engage in civilian nuclear activities, including having research or power reactors and access to the enriched uranium that drives them.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for signatory
Cite this Entry
“Signatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signatory. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
signatory
noun
sig·na·to·ry
ˈsig-nə-ˌtōr-ē 
plural signatories
: a signer with another or others
signatories to a petition
especially
: a government bound with others by a signed convention
signatory
adjective
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