denoting
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
These are the most common type of sentence, denoting the maximum time the offender could spend in custody, although the whole time might not necessarily be spent in prison.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
"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
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
Without a letter denoting a political party next to their name on the ballot, independent candidates have historically gotten lost in the mix.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2026
I gazed around at the horizon, which was just a jagged green vector line, denoting mountainous terrain.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
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.
