des·ig·nate
ˈde-zig-ˌnāt 
designated; designating
1
: to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty
designate a group to prepare a plan
2
a
: to point out the location of
a marker designating the battle
b
: to distinguish as to class (see class entry 1 sense 3)
the area we designate as that of spiritual values—
J. B. Conant
J. B. Conant3
: denote
associate names with the people they designate
4
: to call by a distinctive title, term, or expression
a particle designated the neutron
des·ig·nate
ˈde-zig-ˌnāt
-nət
: chosen but not yet installed (see install sense 2a)
ambassador designate
Synonyms
Examples of designate in a Sentence
Verb
The wooden stakes designate the edge of the building site.
the designated time for the meeting
Recent Examples on the Web
Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Typically, a fund’s investments must be made within the first five years, with the remaining period designated for harvesting and return of capital to investors.
—Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, which met over two days last week, had been expected to amend the constitution to officially designate South Korea as a separate country and a main enemy.
—Reuters, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for designate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In schoolwide emergencies, for example, district policy says students will be able to access their devices from the place that their teacher has designated.
—Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Typically, a fund’s investments must be made within the first five years, with the remaining period designated for harvesting and return of capital to investors.
—Control Risks, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Healthier Habit To avoid cross-contamination, designate one sponge for each purpose.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024
North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, which met over two days last week, had been expected to amend the constitution to officially designate South Korea as a separate country and a main enemy.
—Reuters, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for designate
Dictionary Entries Near designate
Cite this Entry
“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share