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1. 1. To conceive or fashion in the mind; invent: design a good excuse for not attending the conference.
   2. To formulate a plan for; devise: designed a marketing strategy for the new product.
2. To plan out in systematic, usually graphic form: design a building; design a computer program.
3. To create or contrive for a particular purpose or effect: a game designed to appeal to all ages.
4. To have as a goal or purpose; intend.
5. To create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner.

1. To make or execute plans.
2. To have a goal or purpose in mind.
3. To create designs.

1. 1. A drawing or sketch.
   2. A graphic representation, especially a detailed plan for construction or manufacture.
2. The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details: the aerodynamic design of an automobile; furniture of simple but elegant design.
3. The art or practice of designing or making designs.
4. Something designed, especially a decorative or an artistic work.
5. An ornamental pattern. See synonyms at figure.
6. A basic scheme or pattern that affects and controls function or development: the overall design of an epic poem.
7. A plan; a project. See synonyms at plan.
8. 1. A reasoned purpose; an intent: It was her design to set up practice on her own as soon as she was qualified.
   2. Deliberate intention: He became a photographer more by accident than by design.
9. A secretive plot or scheme. Often used in the plural: He has designs on my job.

[Middle English designen, from Latin dēsignāre, to designate. See designate.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.