designation
noun
des·ig·na·tion
ˌde-zig-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the act of indicating or identifying
the designation of a speech sound
2
: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service
awaiting his next designation
3
: a distinguishing name, sign, or title
… the only star in Lynx with a Greek letter designation—
Richard Berry
Richard Berryapproved the area's designation as a wildlife refuge
4
: the relation between a sign and the thing signified
Synonyms of designation
Examples of designation in a Sentence
Though many people call her a liberal, it is not a designation she uses herself.
we've never given the homemade gadget a proper designation
Recent Examples on the Web
That designation sparked one of the more comprehensive programs DNR has attempted to rehabilitate a troubled species, Gillet said.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Dec. 2025
Shortly after its discovery, signs of a comet-like coma and tail became evident, giving it an additional designation of C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), the naming convention for comets.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2025
The foreign terrorist organization designation has been historically reserved for non-state actors that do not have sovereign immunities conferred by either treaties or United Nations membership.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
The project has been in the works for years, and some plans have evolved since The Tennessean first reported it in 2024, including design changes and the designation of Birdie's to function more like a wine bar than a bottle shop.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
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Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Dec. 2025
Shortly after its discovery, signs of a comet-like coma and tail became evident, giving it an additional designation of C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), the naming convention for comets.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2025
The foreign terrorist organization designation has been historically reserved for non-state actors that do not have sovereign immunities conferred by either treaties or United Nations membership.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
The project has been in the works for years, and some plans have evolved since The Tennessean first reported it in 2024, including design changes and the designation of Birdie's to function more like a wine bar than a bottle shop.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for designation
Cite this Entry
“Designation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designation. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
designation
noun
des·ig·na·tion
ˌdez-ig-ˈnā-shən
1
: the act of indicating or identifying
2
: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service
3
: a name, sign, or title that identifies something
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