denote

verb

de·​note di-ˈnōt How to pronounce denote (audio)
dē-
denoted; denoting; denotes

transitive verb

1
: to serve as an indication of : betoken
the swollen bellies that denote starvation
2
: to serve as an arbitrary mark for
red flares denoting danger
3
: to make known : announce
his crestfallen look denoted his distress
4
a
: to serve as a linguistic expression of the notion of : mean
in the southern U.S., the word "toboggan" denotes a stocking cap
b
: to stand for : designate
the symbol / denotes "or," "and or," or "per"
An epiphany is, literally, a showing. In Christian terminology it denotes the showing of the infant Jesus to the three Magi.David Lodge
denotement noun

Examples of denote in a Sentence

The word “derby” can denote a horse race or a kind of hat. Her death denoted the end of an era.
Recent Examples on the Web
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This configuration denotes a GMT-Master (or II) with a steel case, a brown or black dial, a gold bezel, a two-tone bezel insert in brown and gold, a gold crown, and a matching, two-tone bracelet. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025 Although there are no universal definitions for organizational culture, the term usually denotes the formal and informal behaviors or actions that are typically rewarded and sanctioned in a company. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 Cohen’s car had legislative plates with the number 12, denoting her Senate district. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025 Ascendant and Mars lead to passion Typically, this denotes a sensual attraction that bonds people together with their prowess. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for denote

Word History

Etymology

Middle French denoter, from Latin denotare, from de- + notare to note

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of denote was in 1562

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Denote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denote. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

denote

verb
de·​note di-ˈnōt How to pronounce denote (audio)
1
: to mark out plainly : point out : indicate
the hands of a clock denote the time
2
: to make known : show
smiled to denote pleasure
3
: to have the meaning of : mean, name
the word "derby" can denote a horse race or a kind of hat

More from Merriam-Webster on denote

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