nominate
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
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to propose as a candidate, esp for an elective office
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to appoint to an office or position
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to name (someone) to act on one's behalf, esp to conceal one's identity
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(intr) to stand as a candidate in an election
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archaic to name, entitle, or designate
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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nominatesimple
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nominatessimple
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have nominatedperfect
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has nominatedperfect
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am nominatingprogressive
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are nominatingprogressive
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is nominatingprogressive
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have been nominatingperfect progressive
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has been nominatingperfect progressive
Past
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nominatedsimple
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had nominatedperfect
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was nominatingprogressive
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were nominatingprogressive
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had been nominatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of nominate
1475–85; < Latin nōminātus (past participle of nōmināre to name, call by name), equivalent to nōmin- (stem of nōmen; see nomen) + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
When you suggest a person for a position in the government, or propose a theme for your school's prom, you nominate that person or idea, especially if it's done in an official way. In the United States, political parties hold primary elections and conventions to nominate candidates for president. The word nominate originally meant "to call by name," from the Latin word for "name," nomen , but by 1600 it began to be used to talk about politics.
Vocabulary lists containing nominate
Bud, Not Buddy
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And the Oscar Goes to... Award-worthy Words
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Iroquois Constitution
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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.
Under state law, Platner has until Monday to withdraw in order for the Maine Democratic Party to be able to nominate a replacement.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026
As their planes were taxiing, Trump announced that he would nominate Jay Clayton, a U.S. attorney and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, to the position permanently.
From Slate • Jun. 13, 2026
In a bid to prevent the otherwise inevitable Stoaty McStoatface jokes, those voting will not be able to nominate any alternatives.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
The hedge fund said it is prepared to nominate new directors to support the process.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Like a seasoned fighter, the young mouse chose to nominate the time and place of combat.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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.
