Synonyms of designation
1
: the act of indicating or identifying
the designation of a speech sound
2
: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service
awaiting his next designation
3
: 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 refuge
4
: the relation between a sign and the thing signified

Examples of designation in a Sentence

Though 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.
That designation was removed last year by an outside counsel. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 The property’s low-density residential designation did not require approval, either. — Sarah Kinbar, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 By almost any measure, the Anthropic S-1 (to use the official designation for initial prospectuses) is an extraordinary document. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Beneficiary designations, insurance coverage, estate-planning documents and tax strategies can become outdated even when the rest of your finances appear relatively stable. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for designation

Word History

Etymology

see designate entry 2

First 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 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

designation

noun
1
: the act of indicating or identifying
2
: appointment to or selection for an office, post, or service
3
: a name, sign, or title that identifies something
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster