designate

[ verb dez-ig-neyt; adjective dez-ig-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, des·ig·nat·ed, des·ig·nat·ing.

1. to mark or point out; indicate; show; specify.
2. to denote; indicate; signify.
3. to name; entitle; style.
4. to nominate or select for a duty, office, purpose, etc.; appoint; assign.

adjective

1. named or selected for an office, position, etc., but not yet installed (often used in combination following the noun it modifies):

   ambassador-designate.

designate

/ ˌdɛzɪɡˈneɪtrɪ /

verb

1. to indicate or specify
2. to give a name to; style; entitle
3. to select or name for an office or duty; appoint

adjective

1. immediately postpositive appointed, but not yet in office

   a minister designate

Derived Forms

• ˈdesigˌnator, noun
• ˈdesigˌnative, adjective

Other Words From

• desig·native des·ig·na·to·ry [dez, -ig-n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, dez-ig-, ney, -t, uh, -ree], adjective
• desig·nator noun
• de·desig·nate verb (used with object) dedesignated dedesignating
• non·desig·nate adjective
• non·desig·native adjective
• re·desig·nate verb (used with object) redesignated redesignating
• un·desig·nated adjective
• un·desig·native adjective
• well-desig·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of designate¹

1640–50; < Latin dēsignātus, past participle of dēsignāre. See design, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of designate¹

C15: from Latin dēsignātus marked out, defined; see design

Example Sentences

A tribal-led coalition has urged the Biden administration to designate three new monuments in the Golden State using the Antiquities Act of 1906, a law that has allowed presidents to protect land of historic and scientific significance.

From Los Angeles Times

“I would say any monuments that Biden has already designated or is going to designate in the coming two months are at severe risk of being shrunken or eliminated by the Trump administration,” said Brendan Cummings, conservation director for the Center for Biological Diversity.

From Los Angeles Times

That connection, he said, is why he fought in the state Legislature to designate California as a “sanctuary state” and make driver’s licenses available to unauthorized immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

The plans “aim to provide options for neighbourhood expansion, address the widespread issue of illegal construction, and designate areas for the construction of municipal service structures,” it added.

From BBC

Plus, if you designate a specific store they’ll receive the profits.

From Salon

Related Words

• allocate
• allot
• appoint
• appropriate
• assign
• authorize
• choose
• define
• describe
• earmark
• elect
• mark
• name
• nominate
• set aside
• stipulate