The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Designation \Des`ig*na"tion\, n. [L. designatio: cf. F.
   d['e]signation.]
   1. The act of designating; a pointing out or showing;
      indication.
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   2. Selection and appointment for a purpose; allotment;
      direction.
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   3. That which designates; a distinguishing mark or name;
      distinctive title; appellation.
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            The usual designation of the days of the week.
                                                  --Whewell.
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   4. Use or application; import; intention; signification, as
      of a word or phrase.
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            Finite and infinite seem . . . to be attributed
            primarily, in their first designation, only to those
            things which have parts.              --Locke.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

designation
    n 1: identifying word or words by which someone or something is
         called and classified or distinguished from others [syn:
         appellation, denomination, designation,
         appellative]
    2: the act of putting a person into a non-elective position;
       "the appointment had to be approved by the whole committee"
       [syn: appointment, assignment, designation, naming]
    3: the act of designating or identifying something [syn:
       designation, identification]