designate

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin designatus, past participle of designare. Doublet of design.

Pronunciation

• (adjective)
  • (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛz.ɪɡ.nət/, /ˈdɛz.ɪɡ.neɪt/

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

  • (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈdez.ɪɡ.nət/, /ˈdez.ɪɡ.næɪt/
• (verb)
  • (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛz.ɪɡ.neɪt/

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

    • Audio (US):

      (file)

  • (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈdez.ɪɡ.næɪt/

Adjective

designate (not comparable)

1. Designated; appointed; chosen.
2. (UK) Used after a role title to indicate that the person has been selected but has yet to take up the role.
   • 1619, George Buck, The History of King Richard the Third:

     King designate

Verb

designate (third-person singular simple present designates, present participle designating, simple past and past participle designated)

1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description

   to designate the boundaries of a country

   to designate the rioters who are to be arrested

2. To call by a distinctive title; to name.
   • 1912, chapter 1, in Baseball Joe on the School Nine, Stratemeyer Syndicate:

     "Yes, let 'Sister' Davis have a whack at it too," urged George Bland. Tom Davis, who was Joe Matson's particular chum, was designated "Sister" because, in an incautious moment, when first coming to Excelsior Hall, he had shown a picture of his very pretty sister, Mabel.

3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty — with to or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.

Participle

designate

1. past participle of designar