designate

[ verb dez-ig-neyt; adjective dez-ig-nit, -neyt ]
See synonyms for: designatedesignateddesignatesdesignating on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. to name; entitle; style.

  2. 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.

Origin of designate

1
1640–50; <Latin dēsignātus, past participle of dēsignāre.See design, -ate1

Other words from designate

  • des·ig·na·tive, des·ig·na·to·ry [dez-ig-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, dez-ig-ney-tuh-ree], /ˈdɛz ɪg nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˌdɛz ɪgˈneɪ tə ri/, adjective
  • des·ig·na·tor, noun
  • de·des·ig·nate, verb (used with object), de·des·ig·nat·ed, de·des·ig·nat·ing.
  • non·des·ig·nate, adjective
  • non·des·ig·na·tive, adjective
  • re·des·ig·nate, verb (used with object), re·des·ig·nat·ed, re·des·ig·nat·ing.
  • un·des·ig·nat·ed, adjective
  • un·des·ig·na·tive, adjective
  • well-des·ig·nat·ed, adjective

Words Nearby designate

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How to use designate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for designate

designate

verb(ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt) (tr)
  1. to indicate or specify

  2. to give a name to; style; entitle

  1. to select or name for an office or duty; appoint

adjective(ˈdɛzɪɡnɪt, -ˌneɪt)
  1. (immediately postpositive) appointed, but not yet in office: a minister designate

Origin of designate

1
C15: from Latin dēsignātus marked out, defined; see design

Derived forms of designate

  • designative or designatory (ˌdɛzɪɡˈneɪtrɪ), adjective
  • designator, noun

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