verb
-nates; -nated; -nating
[+ obj] to officially choose (someone or something) to do or be something :to officially give (someone or something) a particular role or purpose
to call (something or someone) by a particular name or title
to be used as a name for (something or someone)
to mark, show, or represent (something)
usually used as (be) designated
adjective
not used before a noun
formal :chosen for a particular job but not officially doing that job yet