designation

noun

des·​ig·​na·​tion ˌde-zig-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of indicating or identifying

the designation of a speech sound

2

: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service

awaiting his next designation

3

: a distinguishing name, sign, or title

… the only star in Lynx with a Greek letter designation

—Richard Berry

approved the area's designation as a wildlife refuge

4

: the relation between a sign and the thing signified

Synonyms

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• nomenclature
• title

Examples of designation in a Sentence

Though many people call her a liberal, it is not a designation she uses herself.

we've never given the homemade gadget a proper designation

Recent Examples on the Web

The children also argued that the beneficiary designation from the previous employer should have been applied. —Bob Carlson, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

While Blinken did not specify which groups the U.S. would engage with, the State Department has not ruled out discussions with HTS, despite its designation as a terrorist organization. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Protections for some countries are due to end soon; designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal and Sudan, for instance, expire in March. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that such designations are constantly under review. —Sarah El Deeb, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see designate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing designation

• self-designation

Kids Definition

designation

noun

des·​ig·​na·​tion ˌdez-ig-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of indicating or identifying

2

: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service

3

: a name, sign, or title that identifies something