In plain English
This action tells a system which user you are. It presents you to a computer system or online service as one specific user rather than as an unnamed person.
In context
There, “sign in” labels the action of identifying yourself to the service as a particular user.
- Situation
- SaaS sign-in, invitations, roles, permissions, and account status
- What it communicates
- labels the account-entry action on the authentication page.
Meaning limits
The term itself does not say whether anything will be allowed after that identification.
Examples
“On the shared computer, Lara signed in under her own name instead of using it as a guest.”
“Even on the same office computer, each clerk signs in under a separate name.”