to choose someone officially to do a particular job

Traditionally, the president designates his or her successor. 按照传统，总统要选定其接班人。

Thompson has been designated (as/to be) team captain. 汤姆森被指定为队长。

[ + to infinitive ] She has been designated to organize the meeting. 她被派来组织这次会议。

to say officially that a place or thing has a particular character or purpose

This area of the park has been specially designated for children. 公园的这个区域被划定为儿童活动区。

They officially designated the area (as) unsuitable for human habitation. 他们把这个地区正式划定为不适合人类居住的区域。

used after the title of a particular official job to refer to someone chosen to do that job, but who has not yet started doing it

the Secretary General/Managing Director designate 新任命的秘书长／总经理

Compare: elect adjective