note

verb \ ˈnōt \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

noted; noting

transitive verb

1 a : 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.

2 a : 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.

—

noter

noun

See note defined for English-language learners

See note defined for kids

Examples of note in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of note from the Web

The Environmental Defenders Office NSW, a pressure group, notes that there is no legal bar to stacking the board of the authority in charge of the plan.

— The Economist, "Australia’s biggest river is running dry, despite plans to save it," 19 May 2018
Then that’s a gift, that’s a violation of federal law,’’ Udall said, noting that subordinates of federal officials are prohibited from providing free services to their bosses.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Scott Pruitt admits top aide helped him search for housing but ‘on personal time’," 17 May 2018
For example, for a 2013 AI paper on data analysis, a mathematician from outside computer science noted errors in a proof, and shared an idea to fix them.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "Why are AI researchers boycotting a new Nature journal—and shunning others?," 17 May 2018
While this sparked online speculation about various government officials meddling in the system, Farrow noted there are less nefarious explanations.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Reports on Other ‘Suspicious’ Michael Cohen Transactions Have Gone Missing," 17 May 2018
Investigators noted in the report that Perkins did not look injured.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "She said her ex-boyfriend abducted her from Walmart. The story had holes, cops say | Miami Herald," 16 May 2018
Nevertheless, medical marijuana has been legal in Alaska since 1998, and is currently legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, Sullivan noted.

— erica martinson, Anchorage Daily News, "Sullivan bill would support medical research into pot for veterans," 16 May 2018
Supporters of the ban note the therapy is widely discredited by medical and mental health associations.

— CBS News, "Maryland bans "gay conversion therapy" for minors," 16 May 2018
And the Glassell’s opening is just the beginning, with the Nancy and Rich Kinder Exhibition Building under construction next door, noted Rob Greenstein, chairman of DiverseWorks’ board.

— molly glentzer, Houston Chronicle, "It’s party time at the Glassell School of Art," 16 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of note

Middle English, from Anglo-French noter, from Latin notare to mark, note, from nota

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

note Synonyms

note

noun

1 a (1) obsolete : melody, song

(2) : tone 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

2 a : 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

3 a (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

4 a : distinction, reputation

a figure of international note

b : observation, notice

took full note of the proceedings

c : knowledge, information

See note defined for English-language learners

Examples of note in a Sentence

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 of note from the Web

Worthless $100trn notes from that time are now used as bookmarks.

— The Economist, "Zimbabwe’s new president may not be able to fix the economy," 19 May 2018
Phil Levine has a Twitter-blocking problem, POLITICO notes.

— NBC News, "First Read's Morning Clips: Senate 'absolutely' in play, McConnell says," 18 May 2018
Some clacked away on the keyboards of their laptops, other scribbled notes on legal pads as many of the world’s top basketball prospects ran up and down the court in front of them.

— malika andrews, chicagotribune.com, "NBA teams value draft combine interactions even though some top players are no-shows," 18 May 2018
The largest share of that cash -- around $275 million -- has gone to the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures product, a note tracking Cboe Volatility Index futures.

— yakob peterseil, Bloomberg.com, "Investors Bet on Fresh Stock Volatility Like It's August 2016," 18 May 2018
And here this minute at the bristle tip of the Scotch pine, a cardinal starts singing: seven compound metal notesequal in beat, then silence, then again the identical seven.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "The Poems Of Eamon Grennan: A Lilting Observation Of The World," 17 May 2018
To fully engage English-speaking readers, the book would also have benefited from an introduction and notes that explain historical and social context more fully.

— jingnan peng, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Our Story' offers a graphic glimpse of a China that no longer exists," 17 May 2018
Using deep neural networks, the AI predicts note sequences to compose brand new songs.

— matt jancer, WIRED, "More Artists Are Writing Songs in the Key of AI," 17 May 2018
According to Detroit Building Authority field notes obtained by the Free Press, Adamo was under contract to demolish a home located at 5798 Holcomb, which was abated.

— katrease stafford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit contractor faces suspension after demolishing wrong house," 16 May 2018

Illustration of note

Origin and Etymology of note

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin nota mark, character, written note

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

note Synonyms

Synonyms

call, cry;

Synonym Discussion of note

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

Financial Definition of NOTE

note

noun

What It Is

In the finance world, a note is debt.

How It Works

Notes are typically medium-term debt, but not always. For example, Treasury notes (T-notes) are intermediate-term bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury. They mature in two, three, five or 10 years.

You might hear people use the phrase "carry the note," which means to take on debt from another issuer. For example, let's say you plan to purchase a business for $2 million. You have only $200,000 in cash for the seller and want to pay the seller over time for the rest. Essentially, you're borrowing $1.8 million from the seller, and the seller is "carrying a note" until you pay back that $1.8 million.

Why It Matters

There are many kinds of notes: municipal notes, Treasury notes, bank notes, promissory notes, etc. Like all debt, the terms vary, including the interest rates, face values, maturities and other provisions.

Source: Investing Answers

tax anticipation note

noun

What It Is

A tax anticipation note (TAN) is a short-term note that a state or local government issues and expects to repay with imminent tax receipts.

How It Works

Town XYZ wants to purchase a new building to replace the old City Hall. The building costs $10 million. Town XYZ expects to pay $5 million cash for the building but needs to raise another $5 million. It expects to receive at least that much next April after the annual income tax filing deadline has passed, but the real estate deal is scheduled to close six months before that date, in October.

Because of the timing, Town XYZ issues $5 million of tax anticipation notes that mature in May. (Note that tax anticipation notes are typically issued at a discount, meaning that the investors will pay, say, 95% of the face value of each bond; the actual discount depends on the market and the issuer’s creditworthiness.) The notes pay buyers 5% interest per year. Remember, however, that the notes will be outstanding for less than one year.

Town XYZ is then able to purchase the building for $10 million in October. When April arrives, Town XYZ has its income tax receipts and uses a portion of them to repay the TANs (which generally get first dibs on tax receipts). TAN maturities are usually not longer than one calendar year.

Why It Matters

Tax anticipation notes provide state and local governments with a way to stabilize cash inflows and outflows during the year. In turn, this allows governments to proceed with capital projects immediately rather than waiting to have the actual cash in hand.

Tax anticipation notes are a type of municipal bonds -- investors are generally able to obtain interest tax-free.

Source: Investing Answers

NOTE Defined for English Language Learners

note

verb

: to notice or pay attention to (something)
: to say or write (something)

note

noun

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

NOTE Defined for Kids

note

verb \ ˈnōt \

noted; noting

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

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 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

Law Dictionary

note

noun

1 a : 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 7, Treasury bond at bond 2

b : a piece of paper money

2 : an exposition on a law-related topic especially found in a law review