denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt 

dē-

denoted; denoting; denotes

transitive verb

1

: to serve as an indication of : betoken

the swollen bellies that denote starvation

2

: to serve as an arbitrary mark for

red flares denoting danger

3

: to make known : announce

his crestfallen look denoted his distress

4

a

: to serve as a linguistic expression of the notion of : mean

in the southern U.S., the word "toboggan" denotes a stocking cap

b

: to stand for : designate

the symbol / denotes "or," "and or," or "per"

An epiphany is, literally, a showing. In Christian terminology it denotes the showing of the infant Jesus to the three Magi.

—David Lodge

denotement

di-ˈnōt-mənt 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• express
• import
• intend
• mean
• signify
• spell

Examples of denote in a Sentence

The word “derby” can denote a horse race or a kind of hat.

Her death denoted the end of an era.

Recent Examples on the Web

His rapid ascension from winning in the ARCA West Series at Phoenix Raceway to shining in NASCAR denotes a driver with remarkable potential and growth. —Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

The other side denotes its value in Roman numerals. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2024

There is a word for this in Japanese, shibumi, that denotes an aesthetic of austere simplicity and effortless perfection, of doing the most with the least. —Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Hurricane status requires sustained winds of at least 74 mph, which denote the start of Category 1 strength; Category 2 is defined by damaging, sustained winds of at least 96 mph, according to the National Weather Service. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French denoter, from Latin denotare, from de- + notare to note

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt 

1

: to mark out plainly : point out : indicate

the hands of a clock denote the time

2

: to make known : show

smiled to denote pleasure

3

: to have the meaning of : mean, name

the word "derby" can denote a horse race or a kind of hat