- 1to say officially that someone or something has a particular character or name; to describe someone or something in a particular way designate somebody/something (as) something This area has been designated (as) a national park. This floor has been designated a no-smoking area. designate somebody/something (as being/having something) Several students were designated as having moderate or severe learning difficulties. a designated nature reserve designated seats for the elderly
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- 2to choose or name someone for a particular job or position designate somebody/something The director is allowed to designate his or her successor. designate somebody (as) something Who has she designated (as) her deputy? designate somebody to do something the man designated to succeed the president
- 3designate something (by something) to show something using a particular mark or sign The different types are designated by the letters A, B, and C.
designate
verbNAmE//ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt//
[often passive]Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they designate he / she / it designates
past simple designated
-ing form designating
Check pronunciation: designate