1. (v. t.) To appoint or choose\.

2. (v. t.) 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.

3. (v. t.) To call by a distinctive title; to name.

4. (v. t.) 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.

advert to allocate allot allude to appoint apportion appropriate assign baptize be taken as call choose christen define delegate delineate denominate denote depute determine dictate dub earmark elect emblematize entitle figure finger fix identify indicate label make mark mean mention mete out name name for office nickname nominate opt ordain ordinate particularize pick pick out pin down pinpoint point at point out point to propose put down put up refer to represent reserve run run for office select set set forth signify single specialize specify stand for state stigmatize stipulate style submit symbol symbolize tab tag tap term title typify write down