Designate

Pronunciation

• adjective RP IPA: /ˈdÉ›zɪɡ.nÉ™t/ or IPA: /ˈdÉ›zɪɡ.neɪt/
• verb RP IPA: /ˈdÉ›zɪɡ.neɪt/

Origin

Latin designatus, past participle of designare

Full definition of designate

Adjective

1. Designated; appointed; chosen.

Verb

1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are to be arrested.
2. To call by a distinctive title; to name.
• 1912, Stratemeyer Syndicate, Baseball Joe on the School Nine Chapter 1"Yes, let 'Sister' Davis have a whack at it too," urged George Bland. Tom Davis, who was Joe Matson's particular chum, was designated "Sister" because, in an incautious moment, when first coming to Excelsior Hall, he had shown a picture of his very pretty sister, Mabel.
3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty; -- with to or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.

Synonyms

• name
• denominate
• style
• entitle
• characterize
• describe
• denote

Derived terms

• designated driver
• designated hitter

Related terms

• codesignative
• designation
• designative
• designatum