Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Designation \Des`ig*na"tion\, n. [L. designatio: cf. F.
   d['e]signation.]
   1. The act of designating; a pointing out or showing;
      indication.

   2. Selection and appointment for a purpose; allotment;
      direction.

   3. That which designates; a distinguishing mark or name;
      distinctive title; appellation.

            The usual designation of the days of the week.
                                                  --Whewell.

   4. Use or application; import; intention; signification, as
      of a word or phrase.

            Finite and infinite seem . . . to be attributed
            primarily, in their first designation, only to those
            things have parts.                    --Locke.

Source : WordNet®

designation
     n 1: identifying word or words by which someone or something is
          called and classified or distinguished from others [syn:
           {appellation}, {denomination}, {appellative}]
     2: the act of putting a person into a non-elective position;
        "the appointment had to be approved by the whole
        committee" [syn: {appointment}, {assignment}, {naming}]
     3: the act of designating or identifying something [syn: {identification}]