Definition of designate
(Entry 1 of 2)
: chosen but not yet installed (see install sense 2a)
ambassador designate
designate
verb
designated; designating
Definition of designate (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty
designate a group to prepare a plan
2a
: to point out the location of
a marker designating the battle
b
: to distinguish as to class (see class entry 1 sense 3)
the area we designate as that of spiritual values— J. B. Conant
3
: denote
associate names with the people they designate
4
: to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression
a particle designated the neutron
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Time Traveler for designate
The first known use of designate was in 1596
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