notation
Americannoun
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notations
plural
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a system of graphic symbols for a specialized use, other than ordinary writing.
musical notation.
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the process or method of noting or setting down by means of a special system of signs or symbols.
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the act of noting, marking, or setting down in writing.
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a note, jotting, or record; annotation.
notations in the margin.
noun
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any series of signs or symbols used to represent quantities or elements in a specialized system, such as music or mathematics
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the act or process of notating
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the act of noting down
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a note or record
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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renotationnoun
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subnotationnoun
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nonnotationaladjective
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notationaladjective
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subnotationaladjective
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unnotationaladjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of notation
1560–70; < Latin notātiōn- (stem of notātiō ) a marking, equivalent to notāt ( us ) (past participle of notāre to note ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Use the noun notation to describe a written note, like the comments an English teacher makes in the margins of a student's essay. An editor might make notations on an article, and a conductor might add notations — written reminders to herself — to the edges of a musical score. Another kind of notation is a series of symbols that represent words, numbers, or music, for example. Chemical formulas are one type of notation, and musical notes are another. Notation comes from the Latin word notationem, which means "a marking or an explanation," from the root nota, "mark."
Vocabulary lists containing notation
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The ACT Math Test: Number and Quantity
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Music - Introductory
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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.
See Examples For:
"At the start of the lesson, I would go through how to play the musical notation, and then the lesson would just be silent focus on trying to learn this musical notation," he says.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
“Exponential notation is the language of modern science,” says Mr. Elwes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
Villanueva refiled the case, alleging that he’d suffered emotional distress and that the “do not rehire” notation made it difficult for him to find a job.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
“Dorico’s not totally perfect if you have super weird stuff like harp notation or complicated percussion staves. You might have to hand-tweak those after they’re in the new system,” said Pogue.
From Slate ● Sep. 26, 2024
In terms of notation, Kodály’s exercises do not have to use the regular musical staff.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
One suspects that there were few professional narrators up to the task of articulating so many numbers and notations and technical nuances.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
On 1st March, Dr Pratt noticed a surprising little "e" in notations added to the book.
From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024
Then came four more “Just Added” shows — and another four — and the “sold out” notations just continued appearing on ticket pages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2024
Turns out his caddie had used a level on the practice green and put some notations in the book.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
After every workout it was Ulbrickson’s habit to sit down in his office and make notations in a logbook.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
