annotation

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noun an·no·ta·tion \ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of annotation

1 : a note added by way of comment or explanation The bibliography was provided with helpful annotations.
2 : the act of annotating something

See annotation defined for English-language learners

See annotation defined for kids

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 of annotation from the Web

Capture lets users take pictures or video and then add stickers, text or annotations to the quick message before sending it to individuals or group chats.

— leah becerra, kansascity, "The ‘next generation of Skype’ looks a lot like Snapchat", 1 June 2017
Unfortunately, no animal image comes with the annotation.

— michael engelhard, Smithsonian, "How Polar Bears Became the Dragons of the North", 31 May 2017
Below is the letter Asha Deliverance, Namkai Meche’s mother, wrote to the president, along with The Post’s annotations.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "‘In the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love’: A grieving mother’s letter to Trump", 30 May 2017
Users will also be able to add their own annotations and data overlays.

— brandon keim, WIRED, "Google Looks to the Stars", 22 Aug. 2007

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'annotation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of annotation

see annotate

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, jump, lobster shift, redaction, referee

ANNOTATION Defined for English Language Learners

annotation

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noun

Definition of annotation for English Language Learners

: a note added to a text, book, drawing, etc., as a comment or explanation
: the act of adding notes or comments to something : the act of annotating something

Law Dictionary

annotation

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noun an·no·ta·tion \ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən\

Legal Definition of annotation

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