nominate

1 of 2

verb

nom·​i·​nate ˈnä-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce nominate (audio)
nominated; nominating
Synonyms of nominatenext

transitive verb

1
: designate, name
The first of the commonly so nominated explorers of the American Arctic …—Vilhjalmur Stephansson
2
a
: to appoint or propose for appointment to an office or place
a judge who was nominated to the Supreme Court
b
: to propose as a candidate for election to office
We expect the party to nominate him for president.
c
: to propose for an honor
nominate her for player of the year
He was nominated for an Academy Award.
3
: to enter (a horse) in a race
nominatable
ˈnä-mə-ˌnā-tə-bəl How to pronounce nominate (audio)
adjective
nominator
ˈnä-mə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce nominate (audio)
noun
nominee
ˌnä-mə-ˈnē How to pronounce nominate (audio)
noun

nominator

2 of 2

noun

nom·​i·​na·​tor ˈnäməˌnātə(r) How to pronounce nominator (audio)
-ātə-
plural -s
1
: one that nominates
2
: a person in whose name a horse is entered for a race

Synonyms of nominate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of nominate in a Sentence

Verb We expect the party to nominate him for president. The President nominated her for Attorney General. Someone has to tell her the truth—I nominate you. We nominated her for player of the year.
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.
Verb
Let’s say those four aforementioned series that were nominated last year come back, what else makes it in? — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 July 2026 The party would have until July 27 to nominate a replacement. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 July 2026 While these victories may not matter in deep-blue districts, Liasson says some Democrats are worried that swing states and districts could be nominating candidates who are too far left to win. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 July 2026 It was nominated for 12 Oscars in 2013, and took home two, including best actor for Day-Lewis. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nominate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin nominatus, past participle of nominare, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name

Noun

Late Latin, from Latin nominatus (past participle) + -or

First Known Use

Verb

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nominate was in 1545

Rhymes for nominate

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Browse Nearby Words

nomina nova
nominate
nominately
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nominate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nominate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nominate

verb
nom·​i·​nate ˈnäm-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce nominate (audio)
nominated; nominating
: to choose as a candidate for election, appointment, or honor
especially : to propose for office
nominated a senator for president
nominator
-ˌnāt-ər How to pronounce nominate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

nominate

1 of 2 adjective
nom·​i·​nate
ˈnä-mə-nət, -ˌnāt
in the civil law of Louisiana : having a special or certain name compare innominate

nominate

2 of 2 transitive verb
nom·​i·​nate ˈnä-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce nominate (audio)
nominated; nominating
1
: to appoint or propose for appointment to an office, position, or place
if the testator has nominated an executor of the will
the President … shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors—U.S. Constitution art. II
2
: to propose as a candidate for election to office
nomination
ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce nominate (audio)
noun
Etymology

Adjective

Latin nominatus, past participle of nominare to call by name, from nomin-, nomen name

More from Merriam-Webster on nominate

Nglish: Translation of nominate for Spanish Speakers

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