designate

1 of 2

verb

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt 

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 values

—J. 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

ˈde-zig-ˌnā-tiv 

adjective

designator

ˈde-zig-ˌnā-tər 

noun

designatory

ˈde-zig-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

designate

2 of 2

adjective

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt 

-nət

: chosen but not yet installed (see install sense 2a)

ambassador designate

Synonyms

Verb

• appoint
• fix
• name
• set

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 addition, the proposal would designate 4,395 acres in seven coastal California counties as critical habitats for monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains, essential for their winter migration. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

President-elect Donald Trump designated Mark Paoletta, a former congressional staffer and White House veteran who has represented the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, to serve as general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget in his second administration. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Action Steps to Disconnect: Set Physical Boundaries: If possible, designate a specific workspace at home and commit to leaving it untouched during your PTO. —Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Maryland lawmakers push to designate Thurgood Marshall’s Baltimore elementary school a historical site Baltimore City schools close to compliance with state education plan One active shooter drill that occurred in Solomon’s district served as a driving force for his involvement. —Marissa Yelenik, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing designate

• designate as
• pre-designate

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