ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈnāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English desygnacion, from Latin designation-, designatio, from designatus + -ion-, -io, -ion
1. : the act of indicating or identifying by a mark, letter, or sign or by classification or specification
contriving new characters for the designation of sounds alien to the language
anciently the law was that the mere repetition of a slander was not actionable if the repetition was accompanied by a designation of the author — B.N.Cardozo
2.
a. : a distinguishing name : a title earned or awarded
for years the county seat had no proper designation
as a writer of light verse; but this designation isn't good enough — Charles Jackson
b. : naming
perhaps the honor that touched him most deeply was the designation during his last years of the new laboratory — C.H.Herty
the designation of degrees for women graduates puzzled the more liberal educators — American Guide Series: Texas
3.
a. : appointment or assignment to a post
his next designation was a second secretaryship at Panama City
also : nomination for a political office
seeking to win the Republican primary designation
b. : delegation, engagement, or allocation for a service
his designation by Chile and Argentina as umpire of a commission
the revision of the rest of Matthew and of Genesis and all of Exodus by the designation of different sections to various members of the committee — I.M.Price
c. archaic : a natural leaning that contributes to one's fitness
4. obsolete : end in view
5. : an allotment of bottom for planting oysters ; also : the space so allotted
6. logic : the relation between a sign, word, or linguistic expression and the object referred to ; also : meaning , connotation