designate

1 of 2

verb

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt 

designated; designating

transitive verb

1

: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty

designate a group to prepare a plan

2

a

: to point out the location of

a marker designating the battle

b

: to distinguish as to class (see class entry 1 sense 3)

the area we designate as that of spiritual values

—J. B. Conant

c

: specify, stipulate

to be sent by a designated shipper

3

: denote

associate names with the people they designate

4

: to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression

a particle designated the neutron

designative

ˈde-zig-ˌnā-tiv 

adjective

designator

ˈde-zig-ˌnā-tər 

noun

designatory

ˈde-zig-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

designate

2 of 2

adjective

des·​ig·​nate ˈde-zig-ˌnāt 

-nət

: chosen but not yet installed (see install sense 2a)

ambassador designate

Synonyms

Verb

• appoint
• fix
• name
• set

Examples of designate in a Sentence

Verb

The wooden stakes designate the edge of the building site.

the designated time for the meeting

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The gang, which was recently designated a terrorist organization, is being targeted for deportation back to their home countries. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025

Of the two, Huff has the advantage of being on the 40-man roster while Stassi is a non-roster invitee, which means the Giants would have to designate a player for assignment to make room. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Only in 2023 did the N.I.H. designate people with disabilities as a community that experienced health disparities. —Katrina Miller, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Earlier this month, Rep. Claudia Tenney, a New York Republican, introduced a bill that was designate Trump's birthday on June 14, which is also flag day, as a federal holiday. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Latin designatus, past participle of designare — see design entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1629, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing designate

• designate as
• pre-designate

Rhymes for designate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

designate

verb

des·​ig·​nate

ˈdez-ig-ˌnāt

designated; designating

1

: to appoint or choose by name for a special purpose

designate someone as team captain

2

: to mark or point out : indicate

3

: to call by name or title

Etymology

Verb

from Latin designatus, past participle of designare "to choose for a purpose," from de- "down, from" and signare "to mark, mark out, sign, stamp with a seal," from signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign