design

[ dih-zahyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of:

   to design a new bridge.

2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.
3. to intend for a definite purpose:

   a scholarship designed for foreign students.

4. to form or conceive in the mind; contrive; plan:

   The prisoner designed an intricate escape.

5. to assign in thought or intention; purpose:

   He designed to be a doctor.

6. Obsolete. to mark out, as by a sign; indicate.

verb (used without object)

1. to make drawings, preliminary sketches, or plans.
2. to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.

noun

1. an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a machine to be executed or constructed.
2. organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition.
3. the combination of details or features of a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif of artistic work:

   the design on a bracelet.

4. the art of designing:

   a school of design.

5. a plan or project:

   a design for a new process.

6. a plot or intrigue, especially an underhand, deceitful, or treacherous one:

   His political rivals formulated a design to unseat him.

7. designs, a hostile or aggressive project or scheme having evil or selfish motives:

   He had designs on his partner's stock.

8. intention; purpose; end.
9. adaptation of means to a preconceived end.

design

/ dɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. to work out the structure or form of (something), as by making a sketch, outline, pattern, or plans
2. to plan and make (something) artistically or skilfully
3. tr to form or conceive in the mind; invent
4. tr to intend, as for a specific purpose; plan
5. obsolete.
   tr to mark out or designate

noun

1. a plan, sketch, or preliminary drawing
2. the arrangement or pattern of elements or features of an artistic or decorative work

   the design of the desk is Chippendale

3. a finished artistic or decorative creation
4. the art of designing
5. a plan, scheme, or project
6. an end aimed at or planned for; intention; purpose
7. often plural; often foll by on or against a plot or hostile scheme, often to gain possession of (something) by illegitimate means
8. a coherent or purposeful pattern, as opposed to chaos

   God's design appears in nature

9. argument from design
   philosophy another name for teleological argument

Derived Forms

• deˈsignable, adjective

Other Words From

• outde·sign verb (used with object)
• over·de·sign verb
• prede·sign verb (used with object)
• rede·sign verb
• self-de·sign noun
• under·de·sign verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of design¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English designen, from Latin dēsignāre “to mark out”; de-, sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of design¹

C16: from Latin dēsignāre to mark out, describe, from de- + signāre to mark, from signum a mark, sign

Idioms and Phrases

see by design ; have designs on .

Synonym Study

See intend. See plan.

Example Sentences

There are currently more than 20 T-Level subjects to choose from, external, including accounting, craft and design, engineering and media production.

From BBC

The US Coast Guard is holding a public hearing on 16 September to examine why the disaster happened, from the sub’s unconventional design to ignored safety warnings and the lack of regulation in the deep.

From BBC

There were several issues with its design.

From BBC

The assessment would have confirmed whether the vessel - from its design through to construction, testing and operations - met certain standards.

From BBC

It is a shocking choice, surely by design, that reflects an obvious desire to corrupt the agency from the top down.

From Slate

Related Words

• arrange
• construct
• create
• describe
• devise
• draft
• fashion
• form
• invent
• lay out
• perform
• produce
• work out