denoting
Americanadjective
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being a name or designation for something; meaning or referring to something.
Bertrand Russell initially assumed that every denoting phrase—such as "Scott," "the number two," or "the golden mountain"—had to refer to an actually existing entity.
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being a symbol that represents or stands for something.
When any design in metal or pottery is registered as copyright, the denoting mark is impressed upon each article as it is made.
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being an indicator or sign of something; identifying.
The denoting signs of a company in financial distress usually include salary cuts, layoffs, and the resignation of top executives.
noun
Etymology
Origin of denoting
First recorded in 1885–90; denot(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; denot(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun sense
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.
"Code Purple" alerts, denoting air quality considered very unhealthy for everyone, not just at-risk groups, blanketed much of the city as well as the wider region, including neighboring Virginia and Maryland.
From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026
The NHS says, external the star rating measures the amount of UVA protection, with more stars denoting increased protection.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
In early scenes, he has a small curved line denoting a chubby chin, which changes over time to straight lines on each cheek, narrowing his face when he is old and infirm.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 16, 2026
The death certificate for Katherine Elizabeth Hartley, which was obtained by TMZ, includes a field denoting how the injury occurred.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026
Although the girls wear jeans, denoting freedom, they aren’t as noisy as they used to be; there are no chants, no catcalls.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
