Notation Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms notation American [noh-tey-shuhn] / noʊˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a system of graphic symbols for a specialized use, other than ordinary writing.

   musical notation.

2. the process or method of noting or setting down by means of a special system of signs or symbols.

3. the act of noting, marking, or setting down in writing.

4. a note, jotting, or record; annotation.

   notations in the margin.

notation British / nəʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. any series of signs or symbols used to represent quantities or elements in a specialized system, such as music or mathematics

2. the act or process of notating

3. 1. the act of noting down

   2. a note or record

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• nonnotational adjective
• notational adjective
• renotation noun
• subnotation noun
• subnotational adjective
• unnotational adjective

Etymology

Origin of notation

1560–70; < Latin notātiōn- (stem of notātiō ) a marking, equivalent to notāt ( us ) (past participle of notāre to note ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Basically, it’s just choice of notation, the hanging on notes, which comes across much better when we play live.”

From Los Angeles Times

Many of the amphorae were covered with written notations, which indicated previous uses such as storing olives or lentils.

From Literature

Although one line on the mortgage application for the Atlanta condo listed the property as a primary residence, other records show that this “was at most an inadvertent notation,” Lowell said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after “In C,” Riley gave up the use of notation, devoting himself to keyboard improvisation and his vocal raga practice.

From Los Angeles Times

He noted where smugglers had blowtorched openings big enough to crawl through and pointed out the spray-painted notation of when those gaps were closed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• documentation

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.