note

1 of 2

verb

ˈnōt 

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

note

2 of 2

noun

1

a(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

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

Illustration of note

• note 1b

Synonyms

Verb

• allow
• comment
• editorialize
• observe
• opine
• reflect
• remark
• weigh in

Noun

• jotting
• memo
• memorandum
• notation

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 defense minister noted that Sinwar is the latest in a string of assassinations of both Hamas and Hezbollah leadership in recent months. —NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024

Poe noted that management has been listening better since the union organizing started in 2022. —Phoebe Liu, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Noun

But after an anonymous note informed Ledbetter that she was being paid significantly less than all 15 of her male colleagues, including those with less seniority, Ledbetter set out on a path that would ultimately lead to a change in American law. —Maggie McGrath, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Maude’s kit has warm notes of amber, cedar leaf, and tonka bean. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing note

• blue note
• C-note
• demand note
• eighth note
• grace note
• half note
• make a mental note
• mash note
• note card
• note down
• note of hand
• of note
• on a high note
• on a low note
• on a sour note
• one-note
• passing note
• pedal-note
• promissory note
• quarter note
• shape note
• sixteenth note
• sixty-fourth note
• sticky note
• suicide note
• take note
• thirty-second note
• T-note
• treasury note
• usage note
• whole note

Kids Definition

note

1 of 2 verb

ˈnōt 

noted; noting

1

a

: to notice or observe with care

b

: to record or preserve in writing

2

: to make special mention of : notice

noter noun

note

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a musical sound : tone

b

: an animal's cry, call, or sound

a bird's note

c

: 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

2

: a quality that shows a feeling

a note of sadness in your voice

3

a

: something written down often to aid the memory

I'll make a note of the appointment

b

: a brief and informal record

c

: a written or printed comment that helps explain part of the book

notes in the back of the book

4

a

: a written promise to pay

b

: a piece of paper money

5

a

: a short informal letter

b

: a formal diplomatic or official communication

6

a

: reputation sense 1, distinction

a scientist of note

b

: careful notice

take note of the exact time

Legal Definition

note

1 of 2 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 sense 7, Treasury bond at bond sense 2

b

: a piece of paper money

2

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

note

2 of 2 transitive verb

noted; noting

1

: to recognize the existence or presence of

noted probable jurisdiction

2

: to make a notarial memorandum of nonpayment of (a negotiable instrument) on presentation