designates

1. 1
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of designate.

   The contract designates the buyer as responsible for all repairs.

   Federal law designates this wetland as a protected habitat.

   Note

   Its most common pattern is an object followed by as: the contract designates the buyer as responsible. When a duty or post is involved, the construction shifts to to or for, as in a board that designates an officer for a command. With a plain object and no complement, it means to point out or name, as when a red line designates a boundary.

2. 2
   noun

   Plural of designate.

   The newly elected designates were sworn in at a joint ceremony.

   Several designates received briefings before assuming their official duties.

   Note

   A noun that grows out of the adjective placed after a job title, as in a minister designate: someone chosen who has not yet taken up the role. That title use carries a UK label. Watch the plural of the title phrase: the noun gets the -s (ministers designate), not the adjective. The same spelling is also the present-tense verb, so context tells you whether it names people or an action.

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