designate

1 of 2

verb

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt How to pronounce designate (audio)
designated; designating

transitive verb

1
: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty
designate a group to prepare a plan
2
a
: to point out the location of
a marker designating the battle
b
: to distinguish as to class (see class entry 1 sense 3)
the area we designate as that of spiritual valuesJ. B. Conant
c
: specify, stipulate
to be sent by a designated shipper
3
: denote
associate names with the people they designate
4
: to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression
a particle designated the neutron
designative adjective
designator noun
designatory adjective

designate

2 of 2

adjective

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt How to pronounce designate (audio)
-nət
: chosen but not yet installed (see install sense 2a)
ambassador designate

Examples of designate in a Sentence

Verb The wooden stakes designate the edge of the building site. the designated time for the meeting
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In honor of the two-decade mark, UP Entertainment has designated Wednesday, October 30th as National Uplift Someone Day. Marc Berman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Puka Nacua will not play, but the second-year pro was designated to return to practice on Tuesday. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
If possible, designate a coffee station where accessories such as pods, syrups, sugars, spoons, and even cups are nearby. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2024 This plan should outline key messages, designate spokespersons, and establish protocols for internal and external communication. Allbusiness, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for designate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'designate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Latin designatus, past participle of designare — see design entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of designate was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near designate

Cite this Entry

“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

designate

verb
des·​ig·​nate
ˈdez-ig-ˌnāt
designated; designating
1
: to appoint or choose by name for a special purpose
designate someone as team captain
2
: to mark or point out : indicate
3
: to call by name or title
Etymology

Verb

from Latin designatus, past participle of designare "to choose for a purpose," from de- "down, from" and signare "to mark, mark out, sign, stamp with a seal," from signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign

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