sign-off

or sign·off

[ sahyn-awf, -of ]

noun

1. the act or fact of signing off.
2. personal approval or authorization; endorsement.

sign off

verb

1. intr to announce the end of a radio or television programme, esp at the end of a day
2. intr bridge to make a conventional bid indicating to one's partner that one wishes the bidding to stop
3. tr to withdraw or retire from (an activity)
4. tr (of a doctor) to declare (someone) unfit for work, because of illness
5. intr to terminate one's claim to unemployment benefit

Word History and Origins

Origin of sign-off¹

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase sign off

Example Sentences

These were suggested by the Commission on Human Medicines, and included tighter controls on prescribing to under-18s by requiring a sign-off by two prescribers - usually doctors - when the medicine is first prescribed to people aged 12 to 18.

From BBC

Her sign-off was a not-so-subtle nod to Republican vice presidential candidate and Ohio Sen. J.D.

From Los Angeles Times

It seems unlikely that even as powerful a bureaucratic actor as the secretary of defense would order such a sensitive operation in defiance of the State Department without the guidance of those above him, or at least without their sign-off.

From Salon

A senior member from the authority also inspected the site for final sign-off of completion, and reported that “the site had been restored to as near a pristine level that you can expect,” De Fries said.

From Los Angeles Times

Pending final sign-off by the Los Angeles City Council, the approval from the Los Angeles World Airports board of airport commissioners clears the way for the delayed project to finish construction.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break
• cease
• close
• drop
• end
• halt
• hold
• kill
• pause
• put an end to
• quit
• stall
• stand
• stay