denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt 

dē-

denoted; denoting; denotes

transitive verb

1

: to serve as an indication of : betoken

the swollen bellies that denote starvation

2

: to serve as an arbitrary mark for

red flares denoting danger

3

: to make known : announce

his crestfallen look denoted his distress

4

a

: to serve as a linguistic expression of the notion of : mean

in the southern U.S., the word "toboggan" denotes a stocking cap

b

: to stand for : designate

the symbol / denotes "or," "and or," or "per"

An epiphany is, literally, a showing. In Christian terminology it denotes the showing of the infant Jesus to the three Magi.

—David Lodge

denotement

di-ˈnōt-mənt 

dē-

noun

Synonyms

• express
• import
• intend
• mean
• signify
• spell

Examples of denote in a Sentence

The word “derby” can denote a horse race or a kind of hat.

Her death denoted the end of an era.

Recent Examples on the Web

The life path number denotes specific energies and vibrations inherent in one’s personality. —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2024

Presidential betting odds timeline Note: Zero denotes even odds. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024

Location pins resembling orange teardrops denote the thirty-three places that promise at least twenty-five venders—Smock Farm, Traders Park, Covered Bridge Antique Mall, Rustic Hill Brew Thru. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024

In chip manufacturing, a nanometer denotes the size of transistors on a processor. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French denoter, from Latin denotare, from de- + notare to note

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt 

1

: to mark out plainly : point out : indicate

the hands of a clock denote the time

2

: to make known : show

smiled to denote pleasure

3

: to have the meaning of : mean, name

the word "derby" can denote a horse race or a kind of hat