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 But prosecutors quickly got Arradondo to note that the clip played by Nelson depicted only the few seconds before Floyd was moved onto a stretcher. — Amy Forliti, Anchorage Daily News, "Officer’s kneeling on George Floyd’s neck violated department policy, Minneapolis police chief says," 5 Apr. 2021 Meet officials made note that the exact time was 1:49.991 according to Oviedo coach Dave Tibbets. — Buddy Collings, orlandosentinel.com, "Oviedo’s Sam Austin runs national No. 1 for 800 meters," 3 Apr. 2021 Important to note, Wong said, is seasonal patterns in migration. — Jasmine Aguilera, Time, "What to Know About What's Happening to Unaccompanied Minors at the Border," 2 Apr. 2021 The article that details the supposed event was posted on a website that describes itself as satire and posts sharing the story do not note that. — Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Story about bull sharks in Arkansas river started as satire," 31 Mar. 2021 Thanks to Krisjanis Barons, a folklorist who encouraged Latvians to note down such quatrains in the 19th and early 20th centuries, over a million of them are on file at the national library in Riga, the capital. — The Economist, "Baltic bards Latvia’s ancient poetry is getting its first major translation," 31 Mar. 2021 Eagle-eye readers should also note discounts currently available on the 2020 QLED family: Q60T, Q70T, Q80T and Q90T included. — Jacob Krol, CNN Underscored, "Samsung’s 2021 QLED TVs are up for preorder — here’s what you need to know," 2 Mar. 2021 Anna went on to note that Wil refused to go on walks with nurses at the asylum. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, "New Book Details the Lives of Vincent van Gogh’s Sisters Through Their Letters," 26 Mar. 2021 Commentators duly note this historic reference but don’t really understand it—many weren’t yet born, and few were adults, at the time. — William N. Walker, WSJ, "The Coming Demand Surge Brings Back Memories of 1970s Inflation," 24 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Police discovered the bodies in the family’s home in Allen, Texas, early Monday after Farhan Towhid posted what appeared to be a suicide note on social media. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Brothers kill four family members and themselves in murder-suicide pact: Police," 6 Apr. 2021 One day, at her local coffee shop, Jane is tendered an envelope with a note and a key. — Washington Post, "Jeff VanderMeer’s ‘Hummingbird Salamander’ is a gripping eco-thriller full of cinematic set pieces," 6 Apr. 2021 Most years, the best Mother’s Day gifts can be as simple as taking mom out to Sunday brunch and surprising her with a thoughtful handwritten note and a bouquet of flowers. — Rachel Besser, Vogue, "47 of the Best Mother’s Day Gifts To Give Mom This Year," 6 Apr. 2021 There’s precedent for that kind of auditory corporate soul-searching, from ESPN’s six-note fanfare to the Yahoo yodel. — Time, "Electric Cars Can Sound Like Anything. That's a Huge Opportunity to Craft the Soundscape of the Future," 6 Apr. 2021 WhatsApp makes a note in its FAQ sections that third-party apps that offer users ways to migrate their chat histories violate the company’s terms of service. — Chris Smith, BGR, "Leak says WhatsApp is getting the feature you’ve wanted the most," 6 Apr. 2021 Both women perform well — and Halley hits an insane high note — but Gihanna owns the stage and her range is crazy and on full display in this song. — Maggie Fremont, EW.com, "The Voice recap: Nick Jonas compares one contestant to Beyoncé as the Battles continue," 6 Apr. 2021 On a less promising note, however, both the number of cases and the state’s positivity rate have been on the rise in recent days. — Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, "1.2M Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, 1 new death," 5 Apr. 2021 The naturalist and author Edward O. Wilson discovered this early in his scientific career, when a mentor sent him a note about a group of ants with strange, long mandibles that could spring shut like traps. — New York Times, "Let Us Now Praise Tiny Ants," 5 Apr. 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.

History and Etymology for note

Verb

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

Noun

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

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Last Updated

8 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Note.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/note. Accessed 15 Apr. 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