German word

Siegel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈziːgl̩/

Meaning

  • neuter nounseal

Example

Der Brief trug ein offizielles Siegel.

The letter bore an official seal.

Illustration for Siegel (seal)

More examples

Man darf das Siegel nicht ohne Erlaubnis brechen.

You must not break the seal without permission.

Core concept

A distinctive stamp or imprint that links a document to the authority represented by its design.

Common phrases

  • offizielles Siegel

    official seal

  • ein Siegel anbringen

    apply a seal

  • das Siegel brechen

    break the seal

Similar words

Stempel: A tool used to press an official mark or date onto documents.
Unterschrift: A handwritten name showing a person's agreement or confirmation.
Versiegelung: The act or state of sealing something so its contents cannot be accessed.

Definition in German

Ein Zeichen oder Abdruck, oft in Wachs oder Metall, das ein Dokument versiegelt oder seine Echtheit belegt.

Word origin

The noun developed from Middle High German sigel, borrowed from Latin sigillum for a small identifying seal.

Usage tips

  • The related verb versiegeln means to seal something, while besiegeln often means to confirm or finalize it figuratively.

Other meanings

  • stampnoun

Opposites

  • Entsiegelungunsealingnoun

Related words

  • siegelnsealverb
  • Versiegelungsealingnoun

Word lists with this word