denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt How to pronounce denote (audio)
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 noun

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
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The band cycles through the same chord progressions, with slight variations, to denote when Ulysses is recounting his exploits through his own eyes. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025 The 500e was first made available in the (RED) edition, including the parentheses to denote its association with the nonprofit of the same name. Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Men wrapped in thick blankets of different colors, denoting different regions of the country or musical factions, gathered in a gaggle. Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025 Even their design carried symbolism: smiling figures marked prosperous times, while stoic ones denoted rulers of more turbulent eras. Costa Beavin Pappas, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for denote 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of denote was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near denote

Cite this Entry

“Denote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denote. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

denote

verb
de·​note di-ˈnōt How to pronounce denote (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on denote

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