Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

designate

American  
[dez-ig-neyt, dez-ig-nit, -neyt] / ˈdɛz ɪgˌneɪt, ˈdɛz ɪg nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

designated, designating
  1. to mark or point out; indicate; show; specify.

  2. to denote; indicate; signify.

  3. to name; entitle; style.

  4. to nominate or select for a duty, office, purpose, etc.; appoint; assign.


adjective

  1. named or selected for an office, position, etc., but not yet installed (often used in combination following the noun it modifies).

    ambassador-designate.

designate British  
/ ˌdɛzɪɡˈneɪtrɪ /

verb

  1. to indicate or specify

  2. to give a name to; style; entitle

  3. to select or name for an office or duty; appoint

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. (immediately postpositive) appointed, but not yet in office

    a minister designate

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • dedesignate verb (used with object)
  • designative adjective
  • designator noun
  • designatory adjective
  • nondesignate adjective
  • nondesignative adjective
  • redesignate verb (used with object)
  • undesignated adjective
  • undesignative adjective
  • well-designated adjective

Etymology

Origin of designate

1640–50; < Latin dēsignātus, past participle of dēsignāre. See design, -ate 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He is also designated as the most senior guardian of the Shiite faith.

From The Wall Street Journal

City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo spoke briefly and confirmed his support for designating the CAO as the city’s chief financial officer, without impacting the controller’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

"What matters now in Northern Ireland is action, designating MPAs is not the end but the starting place for ensuring our protected areas are properly managed, monitored and enforced."

From BBC

New long-term measures will allow ministers to designate parts of the country as rent control areas by 2027.

From BBC

The Pentagon also threatened to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk -- a label typically reserved for companies from adversary nations.

From Barron's