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
Richard Berryapproved the area's designation as a wildlife refuge
4
: the relation between a sign and the thing signified
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
Kuck was referring to the State Department’s designation of CGTN as a foreign mission of the CCP in 2020.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
That designation is not at risk as it is not associated with the New7Wonders campaign.
—Jimena De La Quintana, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
This designation allowed those companies to legally sell their existing spirits, while the rest of the alcohol industry either waited it out, sold their stock to a company with a license, or dabbled in the underground spirits world.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
The exceptional drought designation activates mandatory water use reductions for more than 120 groundwater permit holders, including private well owners, utilities, and municipalities such as Buda and Kyle.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
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Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
That designation is not at risk as it is not associated with the New7Wonders campaign.
—Jimena De La Quintana, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
This designation allowed those companies to legally sell their existing spirits, while the rest of the alcohol industry either waited it out, sold their stock to a company with a license, or dabbled in the underground spirits world.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
The exceptional drought designation activates mandatory water use reductions for more than 120 groundwater permit holders, including private well owners, utilities, and municipalities such as Buda and Kyle.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
Cite this Entry
“Designation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designation. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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