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Language Foundation

countersign

to add a second signature to a contract or other document after another person has signed it, usually to confirm or approve it.

In plain English

This means putting another signature on a document that already has one signature. The added signature comes later, not first. It is usually meant to show confirmation or approval.

In context

Here, it means requesting or stating that the other party adds the second signature after one side has already signed, usually as confirmation or approval.

Situation
Reading agreement sections, parties, dates, signatures, and execution status
What it communicates
requests or reports the additional signature from the other side after one signature.

Meaning limits

By itself, the term does not establish that the document is final, valid, or fully approved.

Examples

“After the manager signed the lease, the director countersigned it.”

Core meaning

“We have signed the agreement and sent it to the supplier to countersign.”

In context

  • sign Broader Term

    Countersigning is a kind of signing a document.