nominate

American  

[nom-uh-neyt, nom-uh-nit] / ˈnɒm əˌneɪt, ˈnɒm ə nɪt /

verb (used with object)

nominated, nominating

1. to propose (someone) for appointment or election to an office.

   Synonyms:

   choose, pick

2. to appoint to a duty or office.

3. to propose for an honor, award, or the like.

4. Horse Racing. to register (a horse) as an entry in a race.

5. to name; designate.

6. Obsolete. to specify.

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adjective

1. having a particular name.

nominate British  

verb

1. to propose as a candidate, esp for an elective office

2. to appoint to an office or position

3. to name (someone) to act on one's behalf, esp to conceal one's identity

4. (intr) to stand as a candidate in an election

5. archaic to name, entitle, or designate

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adjective

1. rare having a particular name

Other Word Forms

• nominator noun
• renominate verb (used with object)
• unnominated adjective

Etymology

Origin of nominate

1475–85; < Latin nōminātus (past participle of nōmināre to name, call by name), equivalent to nōmin- (stem of nōmen; nomen ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

And for the open seat in Iowa, Democrats seem likely to nominate a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who represents the reddest state house seat held by a Democrat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

The Japanese premier charmed Trump when he visited Tokyo in October, even saying she would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

“The number of targets you can nominate through AI is just skyrocketing,” Vandier said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Following the publication of the initial list of players, franchises were asked to nominate which players they would potentially be interested in.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

“Are we all ready? Then let’s start. Who wants to be the first to nominate someone?”

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

Related Words

• appoint
• assign
• choose
• decide
• draft
• elect
• elevate
• name
• present
• propose
• recommend
• submit
• suggest
• tap