Pronunciation: - ˌ n ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -nat · ed ; -nat · ing
Date: 1639
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 <the area we designate as that of spiritual values ― J. B. Conant> c : SPECIFY , STIPULATE <to be sent by a designated shipper>
3 : 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 · na · tive \ - ˌ n ā -tiv \ adjective
– des · ig · na · tor \ - ˌ n ā -t ə r \ noun
– des · ig · na · to · ry \ -n ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē \ adjective