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 Web
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers designated relief pitcher Ryan Brasier for assignment Thursday to make room for their latest free-agent addition.
—Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
Gustavo Dudamel arrives this fall as the New York Philharmonic’s music director designate, then as its music and artistic director in the 2026-27 season.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for designate 
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Verb
The Biden administration first designated Venezuela for Temporary Protection in March 2021, a decision that was widely celebrated in South Florida.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
The Dodgers designated relief pitcher Ryan Brasier for assignment Thursday to make room for their latest free-agent addition.
—Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Mexico could be impacted significantly by a number of Trump’s executive orders, including his plan to designate cartels as terrorist organizations and the return of the program that sends migrants back across the border for the duration of their immigration cases.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
Gustavo Dudamel arrives this fall as the New York Philharmonic’s music director designate, then as its music and artistic director in the 2026-27 season.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for designate
Dictionary Entries Near designate
Cite this Entry
“Designate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designate. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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