The meaning of DESIGNATE is to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose, office, or duty. How to use designate in a sentence.

DESIGNATE definition: 1. to choose someone officially to do a particular job: 2. to say officially that a place or thing…. Learn more.

It might be difficult to designate [= select] an appropriate place for the event. We need to designate [= appoint] a new leader.

To designate is to give something a specific status. If you designate your house an opera-free zone, it means that you've officially declared that no opera is allowed to be played there.

Designate is used to describe someone who has been formally chosen to do a particular job, but has not yet started doing it. Japan's Prime Minister-designate is completing his Cabinet today.

To select and set aside for a duty, office, or purpose: designated a delegate to represent our department; designated funds for the project. See Synonyms at allocate, appoint. Appointed but not …

Government named or selected for an office, position, etc., but not yet installed (often used in combination following the noun it modifies): ambassador-designate.

Oct 25, 2025 · 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.

Factsheet What does the verb designate mean? There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb designate. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Definition of designate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.