notation
Americannoun
-
a system of graphic symbols for a specialized use, other than ordinary writing.
musical notation.
-
the process or method of noting or setting down by means of a special system of signs or symbols.
-
the act of noting, marking, or setting down in writing.
-
a note, jotting, or record; annotation.
notations in the margin.
noun
-
any series of signs or symbols used to represent quantities or elements in a specialized system, such as music or mathematics
-
the act or process of notating
-
-
the act of noting down
-
a note or record
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
renotationnoun
-
subnotationnoun
-
nonnotationaladjective
-
notationaladjective
-
subnotationaladjective
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The ACT Math Test: Number and Quantity
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Music - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Eschewing Western musical notation, Mr. Smith developed a system that sometimes encapsulates compositions within paintings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 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
Both became industry standards for digital music notation throughout the 2000s, launching regular updates and holding a sort of “duopoly” over the space, as Dorico’s product marketing manager, Daniel Spreadbury, characterized it to me.
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
Figure 6.12: The modern symbols for sharp, natural, and flat evolved from medieval notation indicating what type of B should be used.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
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
GPT-4 generated identical notations for the same marker genes in 85 percent of cases.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 25, 2024
Amid all the praise, criticism, helpful notations and humorous color, Slagle’s voice is notably absent.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2023
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
There were notations like “Rolex watch, $900, recovered” and “Pearls, antique, $500, not recovered.”
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
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.
