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/ |
- [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 Interest.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- formally
- officially
- specially
- …
- for
- 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
- …
- for
- [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.
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.