redesignate

Redesignate is a verb meaning to designate again or to assign a new designation to something that already has one. It can involve re-labeling, renaming, or re-coding to reflect new information, priorities, or administrative changes. In many contexts, the original designation is retained in historical records while a new designation is used for current operations or references.

Military and defense contexts frequently use redesignation when targets, units, or equipment change roles or when intelligence prompts an updated designation. For example, a target being re-labeled from "Target 3" to a code such as "Target Alpha" reflects a shift in engagement plan. In aviation, navigation and air-traffic control contexts may redesignate a waypoint, route, or procedure code to align with updated airspace configurations or procedures. In geography and public administration, place names or features can be redesignated after political decisions, treaty settlements, or administrative reforms.

Redesignation is a related concept to re designation or renaming; the act is considered administrative and contextual, rather than semantic change alone. The term is often used in official documentation and logbooks to indicate a formal change in designation while preserving prior references for traceability.