Dictionary

nominate

verb nom·i·nate \ˈnä-mə-ˌnāt\

: to formally choose (someone) as a candidate for a job, position, office, etc.

: to choose (someone) for a job, position, office, etc.

: to choose (someone or something) as a candidate for receiving an honor or award

nom·i·nat·ednom·i·nat·ing

Full Definition of NOMINATE

transitive verb
1
2
a :  to appoint or propose for appointment to an office or place
b :  to propose as a candidate for election to office
c :  to propose for an honor <nominate her for player of the year>
3
:  to enter (a horse) in a race
nom·i·nat·able \-ˌnā-tə-bəl\ adjective
nom·i·na·tor \-ˌnā-tər\ noun
nom·i·nee \ˌnä-mə-ˈnē\ noun
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Origin of NOMINATE

Latin nominatus, past participle of nominare, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name
First Known Use: 1545

Rhymes with NOMINATE

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NOMINEE Defined for Kids

nominate

verb nom·i·nate \ˈnä-mə-ˌnāt\
nom·i·nat·ednom·i·nat·ing

Definition of NOMINATE for Kids

:  to choose as a candidate for election, appointment, or honor <The parties each nominate a candidate for president.>

Word Root of NOMINATE

The Latin word nomen, meaning name, and its form nominis give us the root nomin. Words from the Latin nomen have something to do with names. To nominate is to name someone as a candidate for election or for an honor. Anything nominal, such as a position or office, exists in name only. A noun or pronoun in the nominative case is in the form that names the subject of a sentence, for example the pronoun I.

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