denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt 

dē-

denoted; denoting; denotes

transitive verb

1

: to serve as an indication of : betoken

But as yet, no floating bough, no tern … to denote our proximity to land.

—Herman Melville

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 of denote

• signify
• mean
• imply
• indicate

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

Despite its correction, EWZ remains in a cyclical bull trend as defined by the weekly cloud model, denoted by the shaded area on the chart, which provides support for the uptrend aligned with former resistance near $34. — Katie Stockton, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Here log denotes the logarithm of n, which is a function that grows very slowly. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

The polo top denotes a sense of put-togetherness, with any sense of stuffiness softened when styled with feminine skirts or toughened up with denim and leather. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 July 2026

In 2014, Pope Francis abolished the future use of the monsignor title — which denotes a specific honor — for most priests. — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026

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

Rhymes for denote

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote
• greatcoat

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