n. 1
A specification of an object or process, referring to requirements to be satisfied and thus conditions to be met for them to solve a problem.
n. 2
A plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system.
The initial design of the park was rejected for being too expensive.
v. 1
To plan and carry out (a picture, work of art, construction etc.).
comments designed to chip away at my self-esteem
v. 2
To manifest requirements to be satisfied by an object or process for them to solve a problem.

Related words

Word family: designless designer designed designedly
Phrases: scenic design intelligent design design by contract argument from design set design stage design thermal design power visitor design pattern

Forms

Plural: designs → patterns, blueprints, models, shapes…
Past participle: designed
e.g. designed → intended, meant, contemplated, destined…

Choose the right word

Design, Aspiration, Endeavor, Purpose, Aim or Aims?

Aspiration, design, endeavor, purpose, referring to the mental acts by which the aim is attained, are often used as interchangeable with aim. Aspiration applies to what are viewed as noble aims; endeavor, design, intention, purpose, indifferently to the best or worst.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

model He is very taken up with building model airplanes.
shape Ken'nichi made a pond in the shape of Lake Geneva.
pattern Where did you get the pattern for your new dress?
devise He tried to devise a plan for getting rid of termites.
idea The very idea of being sent abroad delighted them.
scheme The main feature of this scheme is still ambiguous.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
design		steady
model		rising
shape		steady
pattern		falling
devise		falling
idea		rising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: aim¹
4 letters: mean¹, idea³, mind¹, plan¹, view¹, goal¹, draw¹, plot¹, wile¹
5 letters: think¹, point¹, model², shape¹, draft¹, hatch¹
6 letters: figure², create², device², scheme¹, object², intent², intend², sketch¹, motive², invent², devise²
7 letters: thought¹, project², purpose², meaning², pattern², drawing², concert², dynamic³, counsel², propose², outline², diagram³, draught¹, purport²
8 letters: proposal³, intrigue², conceive², artifice³, contrive²
9 letters: intention³, invention³, blueprint², delineate⁴
10 letters: innovation⁴, conception³
11 letters: contemplate³, delineation⁵, contrivance³, machination⁴
12 letters: excogitation

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (idea³ = 3 syllables).

In other languages

Français: plan
Italiano: piano
Español: plano
Deutsch: Abriss
Català: pla