Designate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
Britannica Dictionary definition of DESIGNATE
[+ object]
1
:
to officially choose (someone or something) to do or be something
:
to officially give (someone or something) a particular role or purpose
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It might be difficult to designate [=select] an appropriate place for the event.
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We need to designate [=appoint] a new leader.
— often used as (be) designated
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money designated [=set aside] for the scholarship fund
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He was designated team captain. = He was designated as team captain. [=he was made team captain]
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The park has been designated as a wildlife refuge.
— often followed by to + verb
-
He was designated to be team captain.
2
a
:
to call (something or someone) by a particular name or title
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We designated [=named] the first one “alpha.”
— often used as (be) designated
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The four parts were designated A, B, C, and D in the diagram.
b
:
to be used as a name for (something or someone)
-
The word eventually came to designate [=refer to] any kind of mistake.
3
:
to mark, show, or represent (something)
-
The wooden stakes designate the edge of the building site.
— usually used as (be) designated
-
Free items are designated by blue stickers.
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The state capital is designated [=indicated] by a star.
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We all agreed to meet at a designated time. [=a specific time that we agreed on]
-
18 years old is the designated age to vote.
— see also designated driver, designated hitter
Britannica Dictionary definition of DESIGNATE
not used before a noun
formal
:
chosen for a particular job but not officially doing that job yet
-
the governor designate [=the governor elect]