annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a note added by way of comment or explanation

The bibliography was provided with helpful annotations.

2

: the act of annotating something

Examples of annotation in a Sentence

Without the annotations, the diagram would be hard to understand.

the author's annotation of the diagram

Recent Examples on the Web

According to project developers, the system supports workloads ranging from artificial intelligence and big data annotation to 5G infrastructure and domestic large language model development. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026

For example, robot training, operations and maintenance, scheduling, safety management, data annotation, and scenario development are already beginning to appear. —John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026

Note the two identical charts below, one with annotations depicting the bottoming out process underway, and one with the 150-day moving average, also depicting a bottoming out reversal formation. —Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 15 May 2026

These records passed through countless hands, accruing wear, annotations, and personal histories. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

see annotate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for annotation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of annotating

2

: a note added as a comment or explanation

Legal Definition

annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a note added (as to a statute) by way of comment or explanation often furnishing summaries of relevant court decisions

2

capitalized : an informational and descriptive note or essay (as about a case or legal issue) especially in American Law Reports