The word "signifier" refers to something that represents or stands for something else. It could be a word, symbol, or any kind of sign that carries meaning or represents an idea, object, or concept. Full definition
But they don't make me weak in the knees and I don't think they're some kind of signifier of true car geekiness — everyone knows that's FWD diesel hot hatches, anyway. (autoweek.com)
Phonological awareness is the knowledge that spoken words are patterns of sounds as well as signifiers of meaning. (thenferblog.org)
On its own, a Polaroid image is fully identified with the artwork that ultimately grew out of it; the face depicted becomes a kind of signifier for larger cultural concepts of beauty, power, and worth. (bampfa.org)