Definitions of designation
an official name or title
The judge was sitting by designation.
the act of officially choosing a person, place or thing for a particular purpose; the act of saying officially that a person, place or thing has a particular function, character or purpose
The Justice Department announced that it is doing away with the designation of "enemy combatant".
a name, title or distinctive mark
Earning the designation of a Baby-Friendly hospital is a long process.