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Definition of designate verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

designate

verb
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪt/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪt/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they designate
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪt/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪt/
he / she / it designates
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪts/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪts/
past simple designated
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
past participle designated
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
-ing form designating
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪŋ/
 
/ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪŋ/
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  1. [often passive] to say officially that somebody/something has a particular character or name; to describe somebody/something in a particular way
    • be designated (as) something This area has been designated (as) a National Park.
    • The school has been designated a specialist science academy.
    • be designated (as being/having something) Several pupils were designated as having moderate or severe learning difficulties.
    • a designated nature reserve
    • designated seats for the elderly
    Extra Examples
    • These areas have been specially designated for children.
    • In 2017 Hull was designated (as) the UK City of Culture.
    • The area has now been formally designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • formally
    • officially
    • specially
    preposition
    • for
    See full entry
  2. to choose or name somebody for a particular job or position
    • designate somebody/something The director is allowed to designate his/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
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • formally
    • officially
    • specially
    preposition
    • for
    See full entry
  3. [often passive] to show something using a particular mark or sign
    • be designated (by something) The different types are designated by the letters A, B and C.
  4. Word Originmid 17th cent. (as an adjective): from Latin designatus ‘designated’, past participle of designare, based on signum ‘a mark’. The verb dates from the late 18th cent.
See designate in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee designate in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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