notation

noun

no·​ta·​tion nō-ˈtā-shən 

1

: annotation, note

2

a

: the act, process, method, or an instance of representing by a system or set of marks, signs, figures, or characters

b

: a system of characters, symbols, or abbreviated expressions used in an art or science or in mathematics or logic to express technical facts or quantities

notational

nō-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• note
• memo

Examples of notation in a Sentence

a mathematical notation for computer programming

he had scribbled his notation so quickly I couldn't read it

Recent Examples on the Web

The film begins with a notation that Short illegally recorded one performance of the show by attaching two microphones to a chain link fence that served as Godspell’s spare backdrop. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025

This is illustrated below in Figures 2–4, which have the key U.S. indices weekly charts with notations of recent breaks into all-time highs coming off the early-2025 sharp correction (or bear market). —Randy Watts, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Even this more compact notation no longer fits in the universe. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025

On one page there were a few bars of notation—the kernel of all your subsequent insights into music and truth. —Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin notation-, notatio, from notare to note

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing notation

• positional notation
• postfix notation
• reverse Polish notation
• scientific notation

Rhymes for notation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

notation

noun

no·​ta·​tion nō-ˈtā-shən 

1

: note entry 2 sense 3a

make notations on a paper

2

: the act of noting

3

: a system of marks, signs, figures, or characters used to give specified information

musical notation

scientific notation

notational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective