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 of designation

• moniker
• name
• title
• nomenclature
• nickname
• appellation

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

That is the highest-level designation for severe accidents, placing it alongside the fatal Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) shuttle disasters in terms of gravity. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026

The awards come as SUVs make up 35 of the 45 winners for the group's Top Safety Pick+ designation this year, and 12 of its 18 Top Safety Pick winners, in the latest sign of the United States auto market shift to larger vehicles. —Keith Laing, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

The city voted unanimously Tuesday morning to remove honorary street designations along 28th Street, which were added by the city in 2020. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

Gorgon said the new designation as an act of terrorism is important to accurately describe the event and threat facing Jewish communities. —Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see designate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing designation

• self-designation

Rhymes for designation

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

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