désignent

Désignent is the third-person plural present indicative form of the French verb désigner, meaning they designate. It is used to express that a subject names, appoints, or points out someone or something in the present tense. The verb has a broad semantic range, including naming a person for a role, identifying someone, or indicating a feature or location on a map or diagram.

Usage notes and examples:

- Appointment or naming: Ils désignent un porte-parole pour répondre aux questions des médias.

- Identification or indication: Les représentants désignent les zones à surveiller sur le plan.

- Designation on a map or diagram: On désigne les emplacements des installations sur la carte.

Désigner typically takes a direct object (the person, thing, or point being designated) and can be followed by phrases such as pour un poste, comme témoin, or sur un plan. In formal or legal language, désigner is often used to mean “appoint” or "designate officially," whereas in everyday speech it can simply mean "name" or "point out."

Etymology and related forms:

Désigner comes from Latin designare, meaning to mark out or designate, through Old French designer. The related noun désignation denotes the act or result of designating. Related verbs include designer (to design or appoint in some senses) and designation as a formal act of naming a person, role, or attribute.

Conjugation context:

In present tense, the full set is je désigne, tu désignes, il/elle désigne, nous désignons, vous désignez, ils/elles désignent. The past participle is désigné, and the gerund form is designant.