designate

[dez-ig-neyt, dez-ig-nit, -neyt]

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

/ 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

adjective

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

   a minister designate

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of designate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of designate¹

C15: from Latin dēsignātus marked out, defined; see _design

Example Sentences

The result is a self-organized flow of photons into the designated output channel -- without any need for external switches.

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They added that ICE gives parents the option of being removed with their children or having them placed with a designated individual.

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After being evaluated under bureau regulations, “none of our plaintiffs were designated for ADX,” he said.

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We’ve all seen “desire paths,” those informal shortcuts that human feet etch in the ground near designated walkways as we insist on taking a more direct route to our destination.

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The 2023 attack by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, killed about 1,200 people while 251 others were taken hostage.

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Related Words

• allocate 
• allot 
• appoint 
• appropriate 
• assign 
• authorize 
• choose 
• define 
• describe 
• earmark 
• elect 
• mark 
• name 
• nominate 
• set aside 
• stipulate