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
The city designation has been speculated to give greater municipal control of the area to Musk, who has regularly clashed with government regulators over the red tape SpaceX has had to navigate before launches.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Established in 1978 through a designation by the U.S. Department of the Interior and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Cheney historic district extends along 1.25 miles and encompasses some 175 acres.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
Minimum-security is a more lenient designation than low-security in the BOP system.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The Panthers have signed rookie cornerback Mello Dotson and waived cornerback MJ Devonshire with an injury designation.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
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Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Established in 1978 through a designation by the U.S. Department of the Interior and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Cheney historic district extends along 1.25 miles and encompasses some 175 acres.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025
Minimum-security is a more lenient designation than low-security in the BOP system.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The Panthers have signed rookie cornerback Mello Dotson and waived cornerback MJ Devonshire with an injury designation.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 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 19 Aug. 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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