1
: the act of indicating or identifying the designation of a speech sound2
: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service awaiting his next designation3
: a distinguishing name, sign, or title … the only star in Lynx with a Greek letter designation—Richard Berry approved the area's designation as a wildlife refuge4
: the relation between a sign and the thing signified
Examples of designation in a SentenceThough many people call her a liberal, it is not a designation she uses herself. we've never given the homemade gadget a proper designation
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. The designation would apply sanctions and criminal penalties to anyone providing material support to the groups, mirroring actions taken earlier this year against eight Latin American crime organizations, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 London became the first city to receive this designation in 2019 and then Adelaide in 2021. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Although the bathrooms are divided by gender — and marked with Basquiat-style dinosaur imagery — on the nights when Simon Says takes over the Spotlight, those designations are ignored, and the toilets become unisex. —Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025 That designation unlocks a range of legal, economic and military tools to disrupt and punish anyone who materially supports the groups. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for designation Word HistoryFirst Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of designation was in the 14th century Cite this Entry“Designation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designation. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 4 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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