design (designs plural & 3rd person present) (designing present participle) (designed past tense & past participle )
1 verb When someone designs a garment, building, machine, or other object, they plan it and make a detailed drawing of it from which it can be built or made.
They wanted to design a machine that was both attractive and practical. V n
...men wearing specially designed boots. V-ed
2 verb When someone designs a survey, policy, or system, they plan and prepare it, and decide on all the details of it.
We may be able to design a course to suit your particular needs... V n
A number of very well designed studies have been undertaken. V-ed
3 n-uncount Design is the process and art of planning and making detailed drawings of something.
He was a born mechanic with a flair for design...
4 n-uncount The design of something is the way in which it has been planned and made.
usu with supp
...a new design of clock..., BMW is recalling 8,000 cars because of a design fault.
5 n-count A design is a drawing which someone produces to show how they would like something to be built or made.
(=plan)
They drew up the design for the house in a week.
6 n-count A design is a pattern of lines, flowers, or shapes which is used to decorate something.
(=motif)
Many pictures have been based on simple geometric designs.
7 n-count A design is a general plan or intention that someone has in their mind when they are doing something.
Is there some design in having him in the middle?...
8 v-passive If something is designed for a particular purpose, it is intended for that purpose.
This project is designed to help landless people... be V-ed to-inf
It's not designed for anyone under age eighteen. be V-ed for n
9 If something happens or is done by design, someone does it deliberately, rather than by accident.
by design phrase
(=on purpose)
The pair met often<endash>at first by chance but later by design.
10 If someone has designs on something, they want it and are planning to get it, often in a dishonest way.
have designs on sth phrase V inflects His colonel had designs on his wife...
graphic design
Graphic design is the art of designing advertisements, magazines, and books by combining pictures and words. n-uncount
...the graphic design department.
interior design
Interior design is the art or profession of designing the decoration for the inside of a house. n-uncount
