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
Synonyms of designation
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 commission, which applied for the designation, unanimously recommended to the council that Betty be made a landmark.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
Victor Hansen, a former military prosecutor and law professor at New England Law Boston, said drug cartels would still be subject to civilian law even with the terrorist group designation.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Frank Hernandez, dean of the College of Education, said the endowment helps position TCU toward its goal of becoming an R1 university by 2035, the highest research designation that can be awarded to an institution.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Dec. 2025
Prioritization remains important to league management, and rules related to the core designation are also expected to be discussed further as the talks continue.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
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Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
Victor Hansen, a former military prosecutor and law professor at New England Law Boston, said drug cartels would still be subject to civilian law even with the terrorist group designation.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Frank Hernandez, dean of the College of Education, said the endowment helps position TCU toward its goal of becoming an R1 university by 2035, the highest research designation that can be awarded to an institution.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Dec. 2025
Prioritization remains important to league management, and rules related to the core designation are also expected to be discussed further as the talks continue.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 1 Dec. 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 6 Dec. 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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