designation

American  

[dez-ig-ney-shuhn] / ˌdɛz ɪgˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• designations
  plural

1. an act of designating.

2. the fact of being designated.

3. something that designates; a distinctive name or title; appellation.

4. nomination, appointment, or election to an office, position, etc..

   His designation as treasurer has been confirmed.

---

designation British  

/ ˌdɛzɪɡˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. something that designates, such as a name or distinctive mark

2. the act of designating or the fact of being designated

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dedesignation
  noun
• redesignation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• designations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of designation

1350–1400; Middle English designacioun < Latin dēsignātiōn- (stem of dēsignātiō ) a marking out, equivalent to dēsignāt ( us ) ( see designate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

When something has a designation, it has a title or a description that helps you identify it. The “organic” designation on the vegetables you buy lets you know that no pesticides were used in growing the plants. Designation can refer to a title, official or otherwise. You may earn the designation “class clown” for your goofiness, or ask your friends to refer to you by the designation, "Madame Super Brain." Designation is also the act of assigning such a title or position, like the designation of your daughter as heir to your estate. Often, designation refers to giving a formal position. The district board may be responsible for the designation of the next principal at your school.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

designation designations

A payable-on-death or beneficiary designation is a contract and, as such, trumps a conflicting provision in the will.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

However, if that designation failed, that portion of the estate may once again become part of the account owner’s estate.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

DHS can extend the program for a six, 12 or 18-month period or decide to cancel the designation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

The decision by the Department of Homeland Security to extend or terminate TPS typically has been made at least 60 days before the designation was set to expire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

Some, like Dorothy Vaughan and Dorothy Hoover, made the grade as mathematicians from day one; others earned the designation over time.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

After a divorce: Divorce is the most obvious trigger — but as Kleinfeldt’s case shows, wanting to update your beneficiary designations isn’t enough.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

The United States has already applied similar designations to other Ecuadorian gangs, Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

The USDA, for example, relies on the maps as part of a "fast track" process for issuing disaster designations.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

But these designations do not overcome the environmental hurdles.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Their designations reflected their use: fighters—also called pursuit planes—were assigned letters F or P: for example, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair or the North American P-51 Mustang.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• classification
• description
• moniker
• nickname