note

verb

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\ ˈnōt

noted; noting

Definition of note

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to notice or observe with care … instructors had noted that he did not perform well under pressure.— Stephan Wilkinson

b : to record or preserve in writing The detective noted the details of the witness's account of the robbery.

2a : to make special mention of or remark on The commendation notes the bravery of the fire fighter.

b : indicate, show Records fail to note what became of him.

note

noun

Definition of note (Entry 2 of 2)

1a(1) obsolete : melody, song

(2) : tone sense 2a

(3) : call, sound especially : the musical call of a bird

b : a written symbol used to indicate duration and pitch of a tone by its shape and position on the staff

2a : a characteristic feature (as of odor or flavor)

b : something (such as an emotion or disposition) like a note in tone or resonance a note of sadness end on a high note

3a(1) : memorandum

(2) : a condensed or informal record

b(1) : a brief comment or explanation

(2) : a printed comment or reference set apart from the text

c(1) : a written promise to pay a debt

(2) : a piece of paper money

(3) : a government or corporate bond usually with a maturity of between two and ten years

d(1) : a short informal letter

(2) : a formal diplomatic communication

e : a scholarly or technical essay shorter than an article and restricted in scope

f : a sheet of notepaper

4a : distinction, reputation a figure of international note

b : observation, notice took full note of the proceedings

c : knowledge, information

Other Words from note Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about note

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Choose the Right Synonym for note

Noun

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason. encouraging signs for the economy mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance. a mark of a good upbringing token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible. this gift is a token of our esteem note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic. a note of irony in her writing symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition. rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Examples of note in a Sentence

Verb You may have noted my late arrival. The thing to note here is that people are suffering. It's interesting to note how quickly things have changed. Their objections were duly noted. As one official noted, the situation has begun to get out of control. As noted above most people survive the disease. “They've asked us to leave,” he noted with amusement. Noun She wrote a note to remind herself about the appointment. I left you a note on the kitchen table. making notes in the margins of a book She jotted down a few notes during the interview. After class, I usually study my notes and read the next chapter. I can't come to class today. Would you mind taking notes for me? His secretary took notes during our meeting. Please include a brief note about where the picture was taken. He writes in the program notes that the play was inspired by his own childhood. One final note: tickets will be available at the door the night of the concert.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The authors predict a global crisis over fresh water and note that the Amazon has one of the world’s deepest reserves. — Washington Post, "Bolsonaro sent soldiers to the Amazon to curb deforestation. Here’s how the effort failed.," 4 Jan. 2021 The state's designation system also includes green and yellow tiers to note lower infection rates. — Julia Musto, Fox News, "US megachurches fined mega-fees for Christmas Eve services," 1 Jan. 2021 Both factors are notoriously hard to predict, because the immune system (as immunologists like to remind people) is very complicated, and evolution (as biologists often note) is cleverer than you. — Ed Yong, The Atlantic, "Pandemic Year Two," 29 Dec. 2020 And note this too: Cryptocurrency serves some useful purposes. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, "Bubble, Bubble, but No Trouble (Yet)," 29 Dec. 2020 Another factor to note is that the cost of college educations has increased faster that the rate of inflation. — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Student debt, COVID deaths, deployment's effects on kids," 28 Dec. 2020 There are a few things to note about this calendar. — Adam Epstein, Quartz, "The 2021 movie calendar is a preview of Hollywood’s new normal," 25 Dec. 2020 Whitmer and her supporters note the pandemic, not her orders, are to blame for the economic collapse experienced across the country. — Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan indoor dining ban extended to Jan. 15; theaters, casinos, other venues can reopen," 18 Dec. 2020 An expansive new study from Princeton University researchers—that, to note, was partially paid for by ExxonMobil and BP—offers perspective on the scale of change needed. — Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, "The Climate Fight Needs Both Technocrats and Firebrands," 16 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Marc Sumerlin, a White House candidate for the Federal Reserve board until the founder of the Washington consulting firm Evenflo Macro withdrew, sent a blistering note to clients, obtained by CNBC. — Rob Crilly, Washington Examiner, "Trump's 2024 dreams destroyed by Capitol attack, say advisers," 9 Jan. 2021 Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that police say a woman was fatally shot. — Carlie Wells, NOLA.com, "Woman killed in shooting on North Villere Street, New Orleans police say," 8 Jan. 2021 Others are taking note, in part because Auriemma has 1,097 wins in 1,239 games, a record .885 winning percentage. — BostonGlobe.com, "Geno Auriemma, on cusp of matching Pat Summitt in wins, reflects," 8 Jan. 2021 On Tuesday, the rap artist and hip-hop producer posted on Instagram to thank people for their get well wishes, share an update on his health, and sound a note of hearty appreciation for the health care workers taking care of him. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Dr. Dre Hospitalized But ‘Doing Great’ After a Brain Aneurysm," 6 Jan. 2021 And the relatively happy ending (complete with a note in a minor key) feels ideal for film. — Claire Messud, Harpers Magazine, "New Books," 5 Jan. 2021 But of course every note in this song harmonizes with another. — Rebekah Taussig, Time, "A Partner With Cancer, a New Baby and a Pandemic: How I Learned to Live in a Tangle of Joy and Pain," 5 Jan. 2021 In October 1959, the two men met on a Moscow bus, and Popov slipped Mr. Langelle a note rolled in a cylinder the size of a cigarette saying that he had been found out and that the Soviets were intending to use him as a double agent. — Washington Post, "Community deaths," 4 Jan. 2021 Watkins sounded an optimistic note to counter other analysts’ poor prognosis for California Republicans. — Stephanie Lai, Los Angeles Times, "Republican congressional wins in California won’t avert party’s ‘death spiral,’ analysts say," 4 Jan. 2021

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

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Note.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/note. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for note

note

verb

English Language Learners Definition of note

(Entry 1 of 2)

formal

: to notice or pay attention to (something)

: to say or write (something)

note

noun

English Language Learners Definition of note (Entry 2 of 2)

: a short piece of writing that is used to help someone remember something

: an informal written record of things that are said and done

: a short piece of writing that gives you information : a brief comment or explanation

See the full definition for note in the English Language Learners Dictionary

note

verb

\ ˈnōt

noted; noting

Kids Definition of note

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to notice or observe with care Note the differences between the two paintings.

2 : to record in writing Let me note down your address.

3 : to make special mention of His speech noted everyone's achievements.

note

noun

Kids Definition of note (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a musical sound : tone

2 : a symbol in music that by its shape and position on the staff shows the pitch of a tone and the length of time it is to be held

3 : the musical call or song of a bird

4 : a quality that shows a feeling There's a note of sadness in your voice.

5 : something written down often to aid the memory I'll make a note of the appointment.

6 : a printed comment in a book that helps explain part of the text

7 : distinction sense 3 artists of note

8 : a short written message or letter a thank-you note

9 : careful notice Please take note of the time.

10 : frame of mind : mood She began the day on a happy note.

11 : a piano key

12 : a written promise to pay a debt

note

noun

Legal Definition of note

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a written promise to pay a debt specifically : promissory note in this entry

— bank note

: a promissory note issued by a bank payable to bearer on demand but without interest and circulating as money

— cognovit note \ käg-ˈnō-vit-, kōg- \

: a note in which the maker acknowledges the debt and authorizes the entry of judgment against him or her without notice or a hearing : a note containing a confession of judgment

— collateral note

: a note secured especially by a collateral mortgage and pledged to secure an obligation of which a hand note usually serves as evidence

— demand note

: a note payable on demand — compare time note in this entry

— floating rate note

: a negotiable note that yields an indexed and periodically adjusted variable rate of interest

— called also floater

— hand note

: a note for an obligation secured by a collateral note

— non-recourse note

: a note whose satisfaction upon default may be obtained only out of the collateral securing it

— promissory note

: a note containing an unconditional promise to pay on demand or at a fixed or determined future time a particular sum of money to or to the order of a specified person or to the bearer

— recourse note

: a note whose satisfaction upon default may be obtained from the debtor's assets other than and in addition to the collateral securing it

— renewal note

: a note that continues an obligation due under a previous note

— tax anticipation note

: a note issued by a state or municipality on pending tax revenue to fund immediate governmental expenditures

— time note

: a note payable at a specified time in the future — compare demand note in this entry

— Treasury note

: a negotiable note issued by the U.S. government with a maturity date of one to ten years from the date of issue

— called also T-note

— compare Treasury bill at bill sense 7, Treasury bond at bond sense 2