design

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈzʌɪn/

noun

  • 1a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is made: he has just unveiled his design for the new museum
  • [mass noun] the art or action of conceiving of and producing a plan or drawing of something before it is made: good design can help the reader understand complicated information
  • [mass noun] the arrangement of the features of an artefact, as produced from following a plan or drawing: inside, the design reverts to turn-of-the-century luxe
  • 2a decorative pattern: pottery with a lovely blue and white design
  • 3 [mass noun] purpose or planning that exists behind an action, fact, or object: the appearance of design in the universe

verb

[with object]
  • decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), by making a detailed drawing of it: a number of architectural students were designing a factory (as adjective, with submodifier designed) specially designed buildings
  • do or plan (something) with a specific purpose in mind: [with object and infinitive]: the tax changes were designed to stimulate economic growth

Phrases

by design

as a result of a plan; intentionally: I became a presenter by default rather than by design

have designs on

aim to obtain (something), typically in an underhand way: he suspected her of having designs on the family fortune
informal have an undisclosed sexual interest in: a bloke called Kevin who, in Henry’s view, had had designs on Elinor

Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb in the sense 'to designate'): from Latin designare 'to designate', reinforced by French désigner. The noun is via French from Italian