annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a note added by way of comment or explanation

The bibliography was provided with helpful annotations.

2

: the act of annotating something

Examples of annotation in a Sentence

Without the annotations, the diagram would be hard to understand.

the author's annotation of the diagram

Recent Examples on the Web

The annotations on each chart depict a very bullish setup, three different ways. —Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025

The script apparently also features period-accurate dialogue with translations and annotations for those uninitiated to Old English. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025

The script also features dialogue that was true to the time period and has translations and annotations for those uninitiated in Old English. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025

The yellow sheets of paper also included Dylan’s handwritten annotations. —Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see annotate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌan-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of annotating

2

: a note added as a comment or explanation

Legal Definition

annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a note added (as to a statute) by way of comment or explanation often furnishing summaries of relevant court decisions

2

capitalized : an informational and descriptive note or essay (as about a case or legal issue) especially in American Law Reports