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notation

[C/U] Both
pl: notations

This term evokes a sense of structural precision and codified language. It is not merely writing, but a specialized shorthand that allows complex ideas to be communicated efficiently among experts. It implies a transition from a fluid thought or sound into a fixed, symbolic representation. In professional environments, it carries a clinical or academic tone. While a note is personal and informal, a notation is often technical or official, suggesting that the mark follows a specific set of rules or a recognized standard of recording.

Countable when referring to a specific written comment or a single mark in a document. Uncountable when referring to the entire conceptual system of symbols, such as scientific notation.

Meanings

Noun
[something]

A system of marks, signs, or characters used to represent data, music, or mathematical operations.

"The composer used standard musical notation to write the symphony."

Noun
[something]

A short, written note or a specific mark made to record a piece of information.

"The clerk added a small notation in the margin of the ledger."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error