designation
Americannoun
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an act of designating.
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the fact of being designated.
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something that designates; a distinctive name or title; appellation.
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nomination, appointment, or election to an office, position, etc..
His designation as treasurer has been confirmed.
noun
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something that designates, such as a name or distinctive mark
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the act of designating or the fact of being designated
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of designation
1350–1400; Middle English designacioun < Latin dēsignātiōn- (stem of dēsignātiō ) a marking out, equivalent to dēsignāt ( us ) ( see designate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
When something has a designation, it has a title or a description that helps you identify it. The “organic” designation on the vegetables you buy lets you know that no pesticides were used in growing the plants. Designation can refer to a title, official or otherwise. You may earn the designation “class clown” for your goofiness, or ask your friends to refer to you by the designation, "Madame Super Brain." Designation is also the act of assigning such a title or position, like the designation of your daughter as heir to your estate. Often, designation refers to giving a formal position. The district board may be responsible for the designation of the next principal at your school.
Vocabulary lists containing designation
47 Great Words from "The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," by Junot Diaz
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50 Great Words from "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," by Jonathan Safran-Foer
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Auggie & Me
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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.
Lula's main rival in upcoming elections, conservative Flavio Bolsonaro, has supported the designation.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
In February, the High Court ruled that the terrorist group designation was unlawful, and the UK government is appealing against the decision.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
“The estate bears the name Shoemaker originally gave his villa, ‘Cedar Cliff’—a designation that eventually defined the very road on which it stands.”
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
There is no doubt which teams deserve that designation in today’s NBA.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
After Independence, when the British left, his designation was changed from Imperial Entomologist to Joint Director, Entomology.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
