des|ic|ca|tion /de s I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Desiccation is the process of becoming completely dried out. [FORMAL ] □ …the disastrous consequences of the desiccation of the wetland.
de|sign ◆◆◆ /d I za I n/ (designs , designing , designed )
1 VERB When someone designs a garment, building, machine, or other object, they plan it and make a detailed drawing of it from which it can be built or made. □ [V n] They wanted to design a machine that was both attractive and practical. □ [V -ed] …men wearing specially designed boots.
2 VERB When someone designs a survey, policy, or system, they plan and prepare it, and decide on all the details of it. □ [V n] We may be able to design a course to suit your particular needs. □ [V -ed] A number of very well designed studies have been undertaken.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Design is the process and art of planning and making detailed drawings of something. □ He was a born mechanic with a flair for design.
4 N‑UNCOUNT The design of something is the way in which it has been planned and made. □ …a new design of clock. □ BMW is recalling 8,000 cars because of a design fault.
5 N‑COUNT A design is a drawing which someone produces to show how they would like something to be built or made. □ [+ for ] They drew up the design for the house in a week.
6 N‑COUNT A design is a pattern of lines, flowers, or shapes which is used to decorate something. □ Many pictures have been based on simple geometric designs.
7 N‑COUNT A design is a general plan or intention that someone has in their mind when they are doing something. □ Is there some design in having him in the middle?
8 V-PASSIVE If something is designed for a particular purpose, it is intended for that purpose. □ [be V -ed to-inf] This project is designed to help landless people. □ [be V -ed + for ] It's not designed for anyone under age eighteen.
9 PHRASE If something happens or is done by design , someone does it deliberately, rather than by accident. □ The pair met often–at first by chance but later by design.
10 PHRASE If someone has designs on something, they want it and are planning to get it, often in a dishonest way. □ He didn't even notice she had designs on him. COLLOCATIONS design NOUN
3
noun + design : costume, fashion, product; garden, set, web
adjective + design : industrial, urban
4
adjective + design : contemporary, elegant, good; innovative, intelligent, modern, original
verb + design : adapt, improve, modify
5
verb + design : create, draw up
6
adjective + design : floral, geometric, simple, stylish VERB 1
design + noun : building, garden, house, product SYNONYMS design VERB 1
plan: We are planning a new kitchen.
create: It is really great for a radio producer to create a show like this.
produce: The company produces parts for the car industry.
invent: He invented the first electric clock. NOUN 6
pattern: …a golden robe embroidered with purple thread stitched into a pattern of flames.
motif: …a rose motif.
shape: …sofas and chairs of contrasting shapes and colours.
des|ig|nate (designates , designating , designated ) The verb is pronounced /de z I gne I t/. The adjective is pronounced /de z I gnət/. 1 VERB When you designate someone or something as a particular thing, you formally give them that description or name. □ [V n + as ] …a man interviewed in one of our studies whom we shall designate as E. □ [V n n] There are efforts under way to designate the bridge a historic landmark. □ [V -ed] I live in Exmoor, which is designated as a national park.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is designated for a particular purpose, it is set aside for that purpose. □ [be V -ed + as/for ] Some of the rooms were designated as offices. □ [V -ed] …scholarships designated for minorities.
3 VERB When you designate someone as something, you formally choose them to do that particular job. □ [V n + as ] Designate someone as the spokesperson.
4 ADJ [n ADJ ] Designate is used to describe someone who has been formally chosen to do a particular job, but has not yet started doing it. □ Japan's Prime Minister-designate is completing his Cabinet today.
de s|ig|nat|ed dri v|er (designated drivers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The designated driver in a group of people travelling together is the one who has agreed to drive, or who is insured to drive.
des|ig|na|tion /de z I gne I ʃ ə n/ (designations ) N‑VAR A designation is a description, name, or title that is given to someone or something. Designation is the fact of giving that description, name, or title. [FORMAL ] □ …the designation of land as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
de|sign|er ◆◇◇ /d I za I nə r / (designers )
1 N‑COUNT A designer is a person whose job is to design things by making drawings of them. □ Carolyne is a fashion designer.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Designer clothes or designer labels are expensive, fashionable clothes made by a famous designer, rather than being made in large quantities in a factory. □ He wears designer clothes and drives an antique car.