notation

[ noh-tey-shuhn ]

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.

notation

/ 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

Derived Forms

• noˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• no·tation·al adjective
• nonno·tation·al adjective
• reno·tation noun
• subno·tation noun
• subno·tation·al adjective
• unno·tation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of notation¹

1560–70; < Latin notātiōn- (stem of notātiō ) a marking, equivalent to notāt ( us ) (past participle of notāre to note ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of notation¹

C16: from Latin notātiō a marking, from notāre to note

Example Sentences

There are many surprising analogies between proteins, the basic building blocks of life, and musical notation.

From Singularity Hub 

A protein chain can be represented as a string of these alphabetic letters, very much like a string of music notes in alphabetical notation.

From Singularity Hub 

Logic Pro’s video integration, variable Smart Tempo adjustment, and music notation have made it popular for scoring to picture.

From Popular-Science

Occasionally, I’d furtively steal a glance at the notebook’s cryptically worded notations.

From Time

A nurse also reported “Pt refused C-section” in a notation dated two days after Reggie was delivered.

From ProPublica

The results, one simple line in karyotype notation, were clear.

From The Daily Beast

The tightly patterned organization of the notation is a “very strange find” and appears too careful to be a document draft.

From The Daily Beast

It is true that the authorities from whom we derive our knowledge of the Greek notation are post-classical.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be beyond the scope of this essay to discuss the date of the Greek musical notation.

From Project Gutenberg

And how and when was the notation adapted to exhibit the several keys in which any such System might be set?

From Project Gutenberg

Hence he regards the notation as confirming his theory of the nature and history of the Modes.

From Project Gutenberg

The special fitness of the notation for the scales of the Enharmonic genus may be regarded as a further indication of its date.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• documentation