Definition of "designate"

designate

/ˈdɛzɪɡ.nət/

adjective
not comparable
1. Designated; appointed; chosen.
2. (UK) Used after a role title to indicate that the person has been selected but has yet to take up the role.
  Quotations
  King designate
  1619, George Buck, The History of King Richard the Third
verb
third-person singular simple present designates, present participle designating, simple past and past participle designated
1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description
2. To call by a distinctive title; to name.
  Quotations
  "Yes, let 'Sister' Davis have a whack at it too," urged George Bland. Tom Davis, who was Joe Matson's particular chum, was designated "Sister" because, in an incautious moment, when first coming to Excelsior Hall, he had shown a picture of his very pretty sister, Mabel.
  1912, chapter 1, in Baseball Joe on the School Nine, Stratemeyer Syndicate
3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty — with to or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.