Sign-on

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The username and password for logging in to a computer account. countable, uncountable

    "No one likes to continually update and remember multiple passwords and sign-ons, so if it's affordable, try to keep the security as simple as possible."

  2. 2
    An attempt to log in. countable, uncountable

    "If the number of attempted sign-ons reaches the threshold value in the security software, the system will respond."

  3. 3
    An instance of signing on to something. broadly, countable, uncountable

    "Some legislative aides in Washington suggest that church lobbyists do need to be discriminating in their sign-ons."

  4. 4
    A person who signs on to something. countable, uncountable

    "The early sign-ons were already picking their way through the buffet, but the majority of the 3,500 guests had yet to arrive."

  5. 5
    A verbal script that is repeated at the start of every instance of something, as a form of greeting and identification. countable, uncountable

    "In an effort to further reduce voice-radio frequency congestion with the use of data link, some crew members have suggested that no verbal sign-ons be required by the flight crews whenever an ATC frequency change occurs."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    A signing bonus. countable, uncountable

    "At Ryder, Habib used sign-ons as a way to attract key talent to the transportation company."

Example

More examples

"No one likes to continually update and remember multiple passwords and sign-ons, so if it's affordable, try to keep the security as simple as possible."

Etymology

Deverbal from sign on.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.