WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
nom•i•nate /ˈnɑməˌneɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to propose (someone) for appointment or election to an office or duty:[~ + object (+ for + object)]The party nominated her for vice-president.[~ + object (+ as) + object]She nominated him (as) her representative to the peace talks.
- to propose for an honor:[~ + object (+ for + object)]They nominated her for the award.
nom•i•nate
(v. nom′ə nāt′;adj. nom′ə nit),USA pronunciation v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing, adj.
v.t.
adj.
nom′i•na′tor, n.
v.t.
- to propose (someone) for appointment or election to an office.
- to appoint to a duty or office.
- to propose for an honor, award, or the like.
- Sport[Horse Racing.]to register (a horse) as an entry in a race.
- to name;
designate. - [Obs.]to specify.
adj.
- having a particular name.
- Latin nōminātus (past participle of nōmināre to name, call by name), equivalent. to nōmin- (stem of nōmen; see nomen) + -ātus -ate1
- 1475–85
- 1. pick, choose.
'nominator' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):