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 WebChristine Burroni, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024
To make room for Maton on their 40-man roster, the Mets designated pitcher Joey Lucchesi for assignment.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 July 2024
Install an outdoor curtain rod, then use the drapes to visually designate an entertaining or conversation zone on your back porch or patio.
—Heather Luckhurst, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for designate 
Verb
Its awe-inspiring architecture also resulted in the city being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
—Christine Burroni, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024
To make room for Maton on their 40-man roster, the Mets designated pitcher Joey Lucchesi for assignment.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
Adjective
If possible, designate individual locations for arrivals, the ceremony, the reception, and the after-party.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 July 2024
Install an outdoor curtain rod, then use the drapes to visually designate an entertaining or conversation zone on your back porch or patio.
—Heather Luckhurst, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for designate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'designate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near designate
Cite this Entry
“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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