notate

Everyday

To write something down using a system of signs or symbols, especially music, dance steps or chess moves. tree →

In the lessons

Used in music lessons: you notate a tune with notes on a stave. Also used for chess (writing moves like e4), maths (writing with symbols) and dance. It tells the reader that something heard or done is being put into a written code.

Examples

• The composer notated the melody on the stave. tree →
• Can you notate this rhythm using crotchets and quavers? tree →
• Chess players notate every move in a game. tree →
• She hummed the tune and her teacher notated it. tree →
• Dances can be notated with special symbols. tree →
• In maths we notate «less than» with the sign <. tree →

Note

Regular verb. More common: the noun «notation» (music notation, maths notation). Do not confuse with «note» (to write a quick reminder) or «annotate» (to add notes to a text or picture).