designation

noun

des·​ig·​na·​tion ˌde-zig-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of indicating or identifying

the designation of a speech sound

2

: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service

awaiting his next designation

3

: a distinguishing name, sign, or title

… the only star in Lynx with a Greek letter designation

—Richard Berry

approved the area's designation as a wildlife refuge

4

: the relation between a sign and the thing signified

Synonyms

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• nomenclature
• title

Examples of designation in a Sentence

Though many people call her a liberal, it is not a designation she uses herself.

we've never given the homemade gadget a proper designation

Recent Examples on the Web

Bib Gourmands Florida also has 33 restaurants dubbed Bib Gourmands, a designation that pays tribute to restaurants with good quality cuisine at a good value. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of the American Latino is currently in organizational ramp-up, figuring out its collection plan, building staff and awaiting congressional designation on a proposal for a physical location. —Kayla Randall, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

The designation would allow the government to acquire more property in the future, provide open spaces for wildlife and provide amenities within the refuge. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 16 Apr. 2024

The main restaurant, Le Hatley, is a destination in its own right and recently received its AAA Five-Diamond designation. —Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024

The state has labeled it a level 2 breach risk - a designation in the middle of the three-prong scale that means there is potential for dam failure. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024

Read More: Why Are So Many Young People Getting Cancer? Even with this designation, aspartame isn’t necessarily carcinogenic, says Schuval. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

The Army’s Center of Military History and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum created the designation in 1985. —Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2024

Either designation means that the glasses will block light and radiation. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see designate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing designation

• self-designation

Kids Definition

designation

noun

des·​ig·​na·​tion ˌdez-ig-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of indicating or identifying

2

: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service

3

: a name, sign, or title that identifies something