notation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A system of written symbols used to represent information in a special field.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to a particular system: 'a notation'; uncountable when referring to the use of symbols in general: 'musical notation'.

   Patterns

   • musical notation
   • mathematical notation
   • scientific notation
   • in notation

   The composer wrote the piece using standard musical notation.

   Scientific notation makes it easier to write very large numbers.

   Students learn mathematical notation such as ∑ for summation.

2. 2nouncountable

   A short note or mark written down to record something.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural: 'notations in the margin'.

   Patterns

   • make a notation
   • a notation on something
   • notations in something

   The doctor made a notation in the patient's file.

   There were handwritten notations in the margins of the book.

   She added a notation to the schedule about the changed time.

Word forms

Common combinations

musical notation

He can read musical notation but plays by ear.

scientific notation

Write the answer in scientific notation.

make a notation

Please make a notation of any errors you find.

decimal notation

The number is written in decimal notation.

notation system

The dance company uses its own notation system.

Synonyms and how they differ

symbol

A symbol is a single mark or sign; notation is the whole system of such marks.

note

A note is one item written down, while notation refers to the system or the act of writing symbols.

Word family

note noun

A single written mark, comment, or short record.

notate verb

To write something using a special system of symbols.

Commonly confused: notation or note?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “notation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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