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

An inter-generational audience of 200 attendees gathered at Oak Park’s Guild Theater, many with copies of The 1619 Project book, some well-worn, adorned with bookmarks and annotations, and others had never been opened before, having been bought minutes earlier at the entrance booth in preparation. —Acsah Lemma, Sacramento Bee, 18 June 2024

According to one of the annotations, Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz) had long had the idea for a video where the band dressed up as undercover cops during a stakeout. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2024

These preliminary findings represent only two of thousands of annotations our approach has provided. —Libusha Kelly, The Conversation, 15 May 2024

More specialized data annotation work can provide higher pay. —Will Henshall, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see annotate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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