design

verb

de·​sign di-ˈzīn 

designed; designing; designs

transitive verb

1

: to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : devise, contrive

design a system for tracking inventory

2

a

: to conceive and plan out in the mind

They designed the perfect crime.

b

: to have as a purpose : intend

We designed to excel in our studies.

c

: to devise for a specific function or end

a book designed primarily as a college textbook

a suitcase designed to hold a laptop computer

3

archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name

4

a

: to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of

To make her dress, Elyse began by designing it on paper.

—Mary Canrobert

b

: to draw the plans for

design a building

designing a new bike

intransitive verb

1

: to conceive or execute a plan

2

: to draw, lay out, or prepare a design

was trained to design for homes and offices

designedly

di-ˈzī-nəd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of design

• plan
• intend
• look

Examples of design in a Sentence

A team of engineers designed the new engine.

Who designed the book's cover?

He designed the chair to adjust automatically.

They thought they could design the perfect crime.

design a strategy for battle

Recent Examples on the Web

This 100% linen bedding is designed by artisans in Jaipur and takes inspiration from traditional Palestinian Tree of Life and Mountain motifs. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2026

Easy to slip on and off, this lightweight shoe features anatomical cushioning designed to give you optimal comfort and support. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

Officials say the fencing is used at all official FIFA matches and is designed to help control access points. —Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 6 June 2026

Ames Lab researchers will work to design a heat-stable, efficient resin that is selective for gallium. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to outline, indicate, mean, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French designer to designate, from Medieval Latin designare, from Latin, to mark out, from de- + signare to mark — more at sign

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing design

• by design
• co-design
• graphic design
• intelligent design
• interior design

Rhymes for design

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids Definition

design

1 of 2 verb

de·​sign di-ˈzīn 

1

a

: to think up and plan out in the mind

designed the perfect crime

b

: to have as a purpose : intend

designed to become a lawyer

c

: to create for a specific function or end

design a training program for auto mechanics

2

a

: to make a pattern or sketch of

design new fashions

b

: to think up and draw the plans for

design an airplane

design

2 of 2 noun

1

: a project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down

2

: deliberate planning : a planned intention

happened by accident rather than by design

3

: a secret project or scheme : plot

—often used in plural with on or against

had designs on the money

has no designs against friendly governments

4

: a preliminary sketch, model, or plan

5

: the arrangement of elements that make up a structure or a work of art

6

: a decorative pattern

Medical Definition

design

noun

de·​sign di-ˈzīn 

: a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something (especially a scientific experiment)

also : the process of preparing this

design transitive verb