Standard Lemma guide

countersign

noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A second signature added to a document to affirm the validity of the signature of the first person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The response to a sign or signal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Only those who give the countersign may enter the Masonic Lodge.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To sign on the opposite side of (a document).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To add a second signature to a document, affirming the validity of the signature of another person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: witness

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a second confirming signature endorsing a document already signed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: countersignature

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: signature

6

noun

Meaning 6

a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he forgot the password

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: password, watchword, word, parole

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: secret, arcanum, positive identification

7

verb

Meaning 7

add one's signature to after another's to attest authenticity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • You must countersign on this line of the contract

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sign

History

Etymology

From Middle French contresigne. Equivalent to counter- + sign.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: pasvorta respondo — response to a sign
  • Bulgarian: приподписвам (pripodpisvam) — add a second signature
  • Chinese Mandarin: 連署 /连署 (liánshǔ) — add a second signature
  • French: contresigner — add a second signature
  • Hungarian: ellenjegyez — add a second signature
  • Italian: controfirmare — add a second signature
  • Latin: contrascibo — add a second signature
  • Latin: contrascribo — add a second signature
  • Manx: co-screeu — add a second signature
  • Polish: kontrasygnować — add a second signature
  • Romanian: contrasemna — add a second signature
  • Russian: контрассигнова́ть (kontrassignovátʹ) — add a second signature