design

[dih-zahyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of.

   to design a new bridge.

2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.

3. to intend for a definite purpose.

   a scholarship designed for foreign students.

4. to form or conceive in the mind; contrive; plan.

   The prisoner designed an intricate escape.

5. to assign in thought or intention; purpose.

   He designed to be a doctor.

6. Obsolete.,  to mark out, as by a sign; indicate.

verb (used without object)

1. to make drawings, preliminary sketches, or plans.

2. to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.

noun

1. an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a machine to be executed or constructed.

2. organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition.

3. the combination of details or features of a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif of artistic work.

   the design on a bracelet.

4. the art of designing.

   a school of design.

5. a plan or project.

   a design for a new process.

6. a plot or intrigue, especially an underhand, deceitful, or treacherous one.

   His political rivals formulated a design to unseat him.

7. designs, a hostile or aggressive project or scheme having evil or selfish motives.

   He had designs on his partner's stock.

8. intention; purpose; end.

9. adaptation of means to a preconceived end.

design

/ dɪˈzaɪn /

verb

1. to work out the structure or form of (something), as by making a sketch, outline, pattern, or plans

2. to plan and make (something) artistically or skilfully

3. (tr) to form or conceive in the mind; invent

4. (tr) to intend, as for a specific purpose; plan

5. obsolete,  (tr) to mark out or designate

noun

1. a plan, sketch, or preliminary drawing

2. the arrangement or pattern of elements or features of an artistic or decorative work

   the design of the desk is Chippendale

3. a finished artistic or decorative creation

4. the art of designing

5. a plan, scheme, or project

6. an end aimed at or planned for; intention; purpose

7. (often plural; often foll by on or against) a plot or hostile scheme, often to gain possession of (something) by illegitimate means

8. a coherent or purposeful pattern, as opposed to chaos

   God's design appears in nature

9. philosophy another name for teleological argument

Other Word Forms

• outdesign verb (used with object)
• overdesign verb
• predesign verb (used with object)
• redesign verb
• self-design noun
• underdesign verb (used with object)
• designable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of design¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English designen, from Latin dēsignāre “to mark out”; de-, sign

Word History and Origins

Origin of design¹

C16: from Latin dēsignāre to mark out, describe, from _de- + signāre to mark, from signum a mark, _sign

Idioms and Phrases

see by design; have designs on.

Synonym Study

See intend. See plan.

Example Sentences

The scheme, run by its intelligence service, appears to have been designed to mainly benefit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the report added.

Read more on Barron's

In a statement, the FAA said a review board in November decided the design didn’t require an immediate fix.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The challenge was so daunting that in 2001, Nike launched the Oregon Project, a running group designed to restore American middle- and long-distance running.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The surface at New York’s Armory, where Nuguse set his record on Feb. 8, was designed to “to provide shock absorption and energy return,” according to its manufacturer.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

While groundskeepers in Europe can pamper pitches until they look like Augusta National, all of the U.S. stadiums hosting World Cup matches are designed for American football, which typically features artificial turf.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• architecture 
• arrangement 
• composition 
• construction 
• drawing 
• form 
• idea 
• layout 
• map 
• method 
• model 
• pattern 
• picture 
• plan 
• scheme 
• study 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of design?

Design means to create a plan or sketch of something that is going to be made later, especially a plan that details what the finished thing will do and look like. A design is the plan or sketch created as a result of this activity. Design also means to intend something for a specific purpose. Design has several other senses as a verb and a noun.Design means to sketch something out and draw up a plan of how the finished project will look and function. For example, the government will have a team design a new bridge before actually building it. This means that someone will draw a sketch of what they want the bridge to look like and determine how much weight they want the bridge to hold. The people who actually build the bridge will consult this plan to guide them in the construction. A person who makes these preliminary sketches is called a designer.Real-life examples: Architects design new buildings. Mattel and Hasbro design new toys. Microsoft and Apple frequently design new computers and gadgets.Used in a sentence: The engineer designed a new type of airplane wing. A design is the actual sketch or drawing that a person who is designing something creates. On the internet, you can find some early and original designs of many popular products we use today. Often, these early designs are quite different from the final product.Used in a sentence: The scientists were working on a design for a new type of spacecraft. Design also means to intend something for a specific purpose.Real-life examples: Hats are designed to be worn on the head. A lawnmower is designed to cut grass. Cars are not designed for driving underwater.Used in a sentence: The ad campaign was designed to attract more teenage fans.