designate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb assign a name or title to
    denominate.
  2. verb give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
    depute; assign; delegate.
  3. verb indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
    show; indicate; point.
    • I showed the customer the glove section
    • He pointed to the empty parking space
    • he indicated his opponents
  4. verb decree or designate beforehand
    destine; doom; fate.
    • She was destined to become a great pianist
  5. verb design or destine
    destine; intend; specify.
    • She was intended to become the director
  6. adjective satellite appointed but not yet installed in office

WordNet

Des"ig*nate adjective
Etymology
L. designatus, p. p. of designare. See Design, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Designated; appointed; chosen. R. Sir G. Buck.
Des"ig*nate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Designated; present participle & verbal noun Designating
Definitions
  1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, 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.
  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. Syn. -- To name; denominate; style; entitle; characterize; describe.

Webster 1913