Nominate

/ˈnɒmɪneɪt/

verbmedium📊CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To formally suggest or propose someone or something for a position, office, honor, or award.

/ˈnɒmɪneɪt/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To formally propose or suggest someone for a position or honor.

The committee will nominate a new CEO next week.

💡 Simply: It's like saying, 'I pick this person!' for a job, a prize, or a position in charge. Like when you vote for someone to be class president!

👶 For kids: To choose someone to do something important, like be in charge of a game or get a prize.

More Examples

2

She was nominated for the best actress award.

3

They nominated him to represent the organization.

How It's Used

Politics

"The party nominated their candidate for president."

Awards

"The film was nominated for several Academy Awards."

Elections

"The committee nominated her for the leadership position."

2

To formally appoint or name someone to a particular role or position.

/ˈnɒmɪneɪt/

verbneutralAdvanced
Action

To formally state or specify someone for a role.

The judge nominated a guardian to look after the child.

💡 Simply: Think of it like picking someone for a job or duty, making it official. For instance, a judge might nominate a lawyer for a client in court.

👶 For kids: To say who will do something, like a judge saying who will help someone in court.

More Examples

2

The president nominated her for the Supreme Court.

3

The lawyer nominated him as his replacement.

How It's Used

Legal

"The judge nominated a lawyer to defend the accused"

Tip:Think of 'name' and the formal action of making something official.

Idioms & expressions

nominee for

Someone who has been officially suggested for a particular position or award.

"The nominee for best actor gave an acceptance speech."

nominate someone to do something

To officially suggest that someone take on a specific task or role.

"The board nominated John to be the new chairman."

From Latin *nominatus*, past participle of *nominare* 'to name', from *nomen* 'name'.

The word has been used since the 16th century and has consistently been used to denote formal proposals, primarily within governance and organizational structures.

Memory tip

Imagine you are NOMINATing someone for a special prize: You are NAMEing them officially.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"name"

nominate someonenominate a candidatenominate for officenominate for awardnominate to

Common misspellings

nomanatenomintatenomonate

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written