When you designate someone or something as a particular thing, you formally give them that description or name. a man interviewed in one of our studies whom we shall designate as E There are efforts under way to designate the bridge a historic landmark I live in Exmoor, which is designated as a national park
To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description; to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who are to be arrested
When you designate someone as something, you formally choose them to do that particular job. Designate someone as the spokesperson
If something is designated for a particular purpose, it is set aside for that purpose. Some of the rooms were designated as offices. scholarships designated for minorities
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. used after the name of an official job to show that someone has been chosen for that job but has not yet officially started work