designate

adjective

des·ig·nate | \ ˈde-zig-ˌnāt

, -nət\

Definition of designate

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

designate

verb

des·ig·nate | \ -ˌnāt

designated; designating

Definition of designate (Entry 2 of 2)

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 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

c : 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

Other Words from designate Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about designate

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Other Words from designate

Verb

designative \ -ˌnā-tiv

\ adjective

designator \ -ˌnā-tər

\ noun

designatory \ -nə-ˌtȯr-ē

\ adjective

Synonyms for designate

Synonyms: Verb

appoint, fix, name, set

Examples of designate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Ratti and his team created a series of wooden modules that are embedded with lights that could help direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as well as designate bike lanes or hazard zones. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Futuristic road concept is made of reconfigurable parts that light up," 6 Aug. 2018 Although rediscovered only in 2013 near the town of Pamukkale — famous for its surreal, Unesco-designate travertine hot spring terraces — the cave’s existence has been known since antiquity as part of what was then Hierapolis. — Time, "Animals Dropped Dead Inside Roman 'Gate to Hell.' Scientists Just Figured Out Why," 22 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The bank—a pristine example of Googie architecture—was, in 2016, designated a historic cultural monument, but it was doomed to demolition by a subsequent ruling. — Lesley M.m. Blume, Town & Country, "Inside Frank Gehry's Overhaul of Garden of Allah, L.A.’s Most Infamous Corner," 25 Feb. 2019 The donor can then designate charities as recipients later. — WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: Charitable-Donation Deduction," 15 Feb. 2019 This feels like a good time to ask the big question, since the newest version of the Porsche 911, officially designated the 992, will arrive next year as a 2020 model year car. — Alexander George, Popular Mechanics, "Why Does Everyone Love the Porsche 911?," 21 Dec. 2018 The president will designate Wednesday, December 5th as a National Day Of Mourning. — Rachel Withers, Vox, "George H.W. Bush’s state funeral arrangements: what we know," 3 Dec. 2018 Despite a thorny relationship with the Bush family, President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will attend the funeral; Trump will designate Wednesday as a National Day of Mourning. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Trump and Xi Jinping reach a temporary trade-war truce," 3 Dec. 2018 Residents initially pushed to have the county designate the lawn as parkland, but were told by the landowner that proposal was not viable. — Libby Solomon, baltimoresun.com, "Widespread support, a couple passionate detractors at Bosley Estates public meeting," 12 July 2018 The boat, designated a National Historic Landmark, had been forced to move several times while preservationists tried to raise enough money to restore it. — Ann Zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Boblo boat Ste. Claire owners launch fundraising campaign to rebuild," 10 July 2018 The club also designated outfielder JB Shuck for assignment and recalled right-hander Ben Meyer from Triple-A New Orleans. — Matthew Defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins activate Martin Prado from DL after six-week absence," 5 July 2018

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