: to appoint or choose for a special purpose <They designated a leader.>
: to call by a name or title <Let's designate this angle of the triangle a.>
: to mark or point out :indicate<These lines designate the boundaries.>
Word Root of DESIGNATE
The Latin word signum, meaning “mark” or “indication,” gives us the root sign. Words from the Latin signum have something to do with marks, signs, or indications. A sign is a move of the hand that indicates something to others. To designate is to mark someone or something for a special purpose. A signal is an indication that an action should begin.