Designate

Definition

Designate means to appoint or assign someone to a specific position, role, or task. It can also refer to naming or specifying something for a particular purpose or role.

Parts of Speech

• Verb
• Adjective (when used as a postpositive, such as in "president-designate")

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/
• Respelling: DEZ-ig-nayt

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/
• Respelling: DEZ-ig-nayt

The pronunciation of "designate" is consistent in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "designate" comes from the Latin "designatus," the past participle of "designare," which means "to mark out" or "to appoint." The Latin root "designare" is composed of "de-" (down, away) and "signare" (to mark or sign). The word entered English in the late 15th century.

Derivatives

• Designation (noun)
• Designator (noun)
• Designating (verb)
• Designatory (adjective)
• Designate (adjective, postpositive)

Synonyms

• Appoint
• Nominate
• Assign

Antonyms

• Dismiss
• Remove
• Ignore

Usage

The word "designate" is commonly used in professional, political, and organizational contexts to describe the formal act of appointing someone to a position or assigning a role. It is also used in everyday language to indicate that something has been chosen or marked for a specific purpose. In titles, the term is sometimes used postpositively, such as in "president-designate," referring to someone who has been appointed but has not yet taken office.

Related Terms

• Nomination: The formal process of selecting someone for a role or honor.
• Assignment: The act of allocating a task or responsibility to someone.
• Appointment: The act of assigning a job or position to someone.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To appoint someone to a specific position or role: Refers to formally assigning someone a task or duty.
  • Example: "The board will designate a new director next week."
• To specify something for a particular purpose: Refers to marking or naming something for a special use or function.
  • Example: "This room has been designated for meetings."

Adjective (postpositive)

• Appointed but not yet installed in office: Used after a noun to indicate someone has been selected but has not yet assumed their role.
  • Example: "The CEO-designate will take over next month."