Designator Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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designator

[dɪˈzɪɡˌneɪtər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in legal documents

A designator is a symbol or sign that indicates a specific item, person, or place. It is commonly used in legal documents to identify or mark certain elements.

Synonyms

identifier, indicator, marker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
designator	Typically used in formal or technical settings to denote a person or thing that assigns roles, duties, or purposes. Common in military or specialized fields. The designator allocated specific tasks to each team member. In naval terms, a designator is used to classify the specialties of officers.
marker	Generally used in informal and various professional contexts to denote a sign, symbol, or object that shows the position or presence of something. The hiker used a marker to indicate the trail path. Biological markers are used to detect certain diseases.
indicator	Common in both everyday language and specialized contexts like finance and science to show or signal the state or level of something. The dashboard's fuel indicator shows how much gasoline is left in the tank. Economic indicators are often used to predict market trends.
identifier	Used broadly in various fields like computing, biology, and administration to label or recognize distinct entities or categories. Each product comes with a unique identifier code for inventory purposes. In programming, an identifier is a name given to a variable or function.

Examples of usage

The letter 'A' was used as a designator for the first building on the street.
The number '001' served as the designator for the main entrance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in military context

In military context, a designator is a code or symbol used to identify a target or location for attack. It is often used in conjunction with laser technology for precise targeting.

Synonyms

laser pointer, spotter, target marker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
designator	Typically used in a military or aerospace context to refer to a device or system that designates targets for engagement. It's a technical term and often implies precision and advanced technology. The drone used a laser designator to mark the enemy vehicle. The pilot activated the designator to lock onto the target.
target marker	Used in military or tactical contexts to describe a device or tool that indicates or marks a target. It signifies clarity and purpose in marking targets for identification or engagement. The special forces used a target marker to identify the enemy's position for the airstrike. The target marker emitted a bright signal visible to the assault team.
laser pointer	Commonly used in everyday situations such as presentations or for pointing out specific objects. It can also be used recreationally, such as playing with pets. It has a less serious tone compared to other terms. During the meeting, he used a laser pointer to highlight key points on the slide. The cat chased the laser pointer all around the room.
spotter	Often used in situations that require visual confirmation or assistance, such as in sports like weightlifting or activities like bird watching. It can have both casual and professional uses. The weightlifter always has a spotter to ensure safety during heavy lifts. The birdwatching group designated a spotter to help identify the species.

Examples of usage

The soldier used a laser designator to mark the enemy position for an airstrike.
The pilot received the coordinates from the designator on the ground.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in engineering

In engineering, a designator is a label or code used to specify a particular component or part within a system. It helps in identifying and organizing different elements.

Synonyms

code, identifier, label.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
designator	Used in technical and specialized settings to refer to an item or entity that names or identifies something within a specific system. In the shipping industry, a special designator is used to track cargo containers. Each aircraft has a unique designator for air traffic control.
label	General term used across various contexts to describe a tag or descriptor that provides information about an item. The food packaging had a label indicating its nutritional content. Folders are often organized with labels to identify their contents.
code	Common in computing and telecommunications to denote a system of symbols, numbers, or signals used to represent information. Every country has a specific dialing code. Programmers write code to create software applications.
identifier	Typically used in databases, programming, and systematic documentation to single out individual items or records. In a database, each record has a unique identifier known as a primary key. User accounts are often accessed through a unique identifier.

Examples of usage

Each electrical wire had a specific designator to ensure correct installation.
The designator 'C3' referred to the third capacitor in the circuit.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

In legal documents, a 'designator' may refer to an individual appointed to make decisions or representations on behalf of others.
The role of a designator can be crucial in contracts where responsibilities need clear identification.
Designators often appear in corporate settings to define roles in governance and compliance.

Mathematics and Logic

In mathematical logic, a designator can refer to an expression that uniquely identifies an object in a formal system.
The importance of designators in proofs helps clarify which elements are being referred to during discussions.
Designators help avoid ambiguity when discussing theoretical constructs.

Pop Culture

The concept of a 'designator' can be seen in movies where characters are appointed to lead teams or make critical decisions.
In video games, a 'designator' might be a role that players take on, leading strategies or identifying targets.
TV shows often have characters acting as designators in group settings, highlighting their importance in narratives.

Education

In academic settings, a designator may refer to a role in project teams, responsible for outlining and identifying project goals.
Teachers sometimes act as designators by clarifying which assignments or projects students should focus on.
The term is relevant in discussing curriculum designators, which indicate specific fields of study.

Origin of 'designator'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'designare', which means to designate or mark out.
It was first used in English around the late 1900s, primarily in legal and formal contexts.
The suffix '-or' indicates a person or thing that performs a specific action.

The word 'designator' originated from the Latin word 'designare', which means 'to mark out'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century. Over time, 'designator' has evolved to encompass various fields such as law, military, and engineering, where precise identification and marking are crucial aspects of operations.