notation

American  

[noh-tey-shuhn] / noʊˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a system of graphic symbols for a specialized use, other than ordinary writing.

   musical notation.

2. the process or method of noting or setting down by means of a special system of signs or symbols.

3. the act of noting, marking, or setting down in writing.

4. a note, jotting, or record; annotation.

   notations in the margin.

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notation British  

/ nəʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. any series of signs or symbols used to represent quantities or elements in a specialized system, such as music or mathematics

2. the act or process of notating

3. 1. the act of noting down

   2. a note or record

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Other Word Forms

• nonnotational adjective
• notational adjective
• renotation noun
• subnotation noun
• subnotational adjective
• unnotational adjective

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."

Example Sentences

Western notation can’t always capture African musical innovations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Basically, it’s just choice of notation, the hanging on notes, which comes across much better when we play live.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 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

The defendant or his sons signed 11 checks to Michael Cohen with a false stub notation, “Retainer.”

From Salon • May 24, 2024

And it was he who introduced the now familiar exponential notation, with x2 meaning x x x, x3 meaning x x x x x and so on.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• documentation