designate

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adjective des·ig·nate \ˈde-zig-ˌnāt, -nət\

Definition of designate

: chosen but not yet installed (see install 1b) ambassador designate

See designate defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of designate

Latin designatus, past participle of designare —see ¹design

First Known Use: 1629

designate

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verb des·ig·nate \-ˌnāt\

Definition of designate

designated

;

designating

transitive verb
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 battleb : to distinguish as to class (see ¹class 3) the area we designate as that of spiritual values — J. B. Conantc : specify, stipulate to be sent by a designated shipper
3 : denote associate names with the people they designate
4 : to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression a particle designated the neutron

designative

play \-ˌnā-tiv\ adjective

designator

play \-ˌnā-tər\ noun

designatory

play \-nə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See designate defined for English-language learners

See designate defined for kids

Examples of designate in a Sentence

The wooden stakes designate the edge of the building site.
the designated time for the meeting

Origin and Etymology of designate

see ¹designate

First Known Use: 1596

DESIGNATE Defined for English Language Learners

designate

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adjective

Definition of designate for English Language Learners

: chosen for a particular job but not officially doing that job yet

designate

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verb

Definition of designate for English Language Learners

: to officially choose (someone or something) to do or be something : to officially give (someone or something) a particular role or purpose
: to call (something or someone) by a particular name or title
: to be used as a name for (something or someone)

DESIGNATE Defined for Kids

designate

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verb des·ig·nate \ˈde-zig-ˌnāt\

Definition of designate for Students

designated

;

designating

1 : to appoint or choose for a special purpose They designated a leader.
2 : to call by a name or title Let's designate this angle of the triangle a.
3 : to mark or point out : indicate These lines designate the boundaries.

Word Root of designate

The Latin word signum, meaning “mark” or “indication,” gives us the root sign. Words from the Latin signum have something to do with marks, signs, or indications. A sign is a move of the hand that indicates something to others. To designate is to mark someone or something for a special purpose. A signal is an indication that an action should begin.