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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.

She was also designated for a travel ban in the European Union, which froze her assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Once designated, the CMA has the power to draw up a tailored set of obligations for them to follow.

From The Wall Street Journal

Around 2,500 Chelsea supporters have tickets for the game, with fans urged to meet at designated areas so they can travel to the ground by shuttle bus under police escort.

From BBC

A guardian in the legal sense is usually someone a court designates to be in charge of medical and personal decisions for an incapacitated person.

From MarketWatch

For now, this may be one of the last moments that Powell speaks without a designated successor on the board.

From Barron's