ˌdezigˈnād.əm noun
( plural designa·ta -d.ə)
Etymology: Latin, neuter of designatus, past participle of designare to designate, design, literally, to mark out — more at design
: something that is referred to by a word, sign, or linguistic expression whether actually existing or not : the class of objects referred to by a sign, including the null class — contrasted with denotatum