notation

noun

no·​ta·​tion nō-ˈtā-shən 

1

: annotation, note

2

a

: the act, process, method, or an instance of representing by a system or set of marks, signs, figures, or characters

b

: a system of characters, symbols, or abbreviated expressions used in an art or science or in mathematics or logic to express technical facts or quantities

notational

nō-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• jotting
• memo
• memorandum
• note

Examples of notation in a Sentence

a mathematical notation for computer programming

he had scribbled his notation so quickly I couldn't read it

Recent Examples on the Web

With just a few sculptures and paintings, the show is largely composed of works on paper — scores of drawings, watercolors, notations, sketchbooks, posters, notepads, photographs, scrapbooks and other assorted ephemera — plus documentary photographs by colleagues. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

The modern notation for square roots came into use in the 16th and 17th centuries. —Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 21 June 2024

Using this notation, the hat is Tile(1,√3 ), and the turtle is Tile(√3 ,1). —Craig S. Kaplan, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

During a recent evening at The Outsiders, Heather Augustine followed along on an iPad with a lot of notations. —Jeff Lunden, NPR, 16 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin notation-, notatio, from notare to note

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing notation

• positional notation
• postfix notation
• reverse Polish notation
• scientific notation

Kids Definition

notation

noun

no·​ta·​tion nō-ˈtā-shən 

1

: note entry 2 sense 3a

make notations on a paper

2

: the act of noting

3

: a system of marks, signs, figures, or characters used to give specified information

musical notation

scientific notation

notational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective