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.

Epstein’s calendar suggests Epstein was also a patient: The files include notations for blood draws and follow-ups over several years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bizarre machines, chalkboards full of odd notations, and people hunched over tiny slips of paper.

From Literature

“The notebook has more information. You can see there’s a notation here to continue on another page. And when you go to that page”—she flipped through the notebook—“there’s an additional set of data.”

From Literature

Ms. Chan examines the process by which scales and music notation came to the page.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

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.