notation
gb/noʊtˈeɪʃən/ us/noʊtˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
system of symbols for writing
A system of signs and marks that people agree to use to write numbers, music, or other special information.
Usage pattern:
use [type] notation to represent [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'notation' with 'note'. 'Notation' is the whole system of symbols (for example, musical notation), while 'note' is usually one small piece of information, like a short message or a single musical sound. Learners may also say 'math symbols' when a teacher expects the more formal term 'mathematical notation'.
Synonyms
symbolism (Often broader and more artistic; 'notation' is more about formal, agreed symbol systems in technical fields.)
|
system of symbols (Plain descriptive phrase, less technical-sounding than 'notation'.)
Antonyms
plain language (Contrasts specialized symbolic systems with ordinary everyday words.)
Collocations
mathematical notation
|musical notation
|scientific notation
|chemical notation
|standard notation
|introduce a new notation
Themes
education
|science
|mathematics
|music
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In mathematical notation, we use the symbol "+" to indicate addition.
- The composer studied medieval musical notation to understand how the piece was originally performed.
- Scientific notation makes it easier to write very large or very small numbers.
- The textbook uses a slightly different notation from the one we learned in class.
- Computer scientists often create new notation to describe complex algorithms.
Learner examples
- In math class we learn special notation for fractions.
- Musical notation tells the musician which notes to play.
- We write very big numbers in scientific notation.
- This book uses different notation, so the symbols look new to me.
- The teacher explained the notation before using it on the board.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
brief written mark or comment
A short written mark or comment that you add to something written or drawn to give more information.
Usage pattern:
add a notation to [a document / a file / the margin]
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'notation' when 'note' or 'comment' is more natural, especially in everyday speech (e.g. saying *"I left a notation on the fridge"* instead of *"I left a note on the fridge"*). 'Notation' in this sense is usually used in more formal, written contexts such as documents, files, and academic texts.
Synonyms
annotation (Very close in meaning; often used for more detailed or scholarly comments on a text.)
|
note (More general and common; can be spoken or written, while 'notation' is more formal and document-focused.)
Antonyms
omission (If you omit information, you leave it out instead of adding a written notation.)
Collocations
brief notation
|margin notation
|make a notation
|add a notation
|with the notation that...
|bank notation
Themes
education
|business
|documentation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The editor added a brief notation in the margin to clarify the date.
- Please make a notation on the form if the customer has special requirements.
- Each figure in the report includes a notation explaining the color codes.
- Her signature appeared with a notation indicating that she was acting on behalf of the company.
- The clerk entered a notation in the file to show that the payment was late.
Learner examples
- The teacher wrote a small notation next to my answer.
- Please add a notation on the paper to show the new address.
- There is a notation under the picture that tells us the year.
- He put a notation on the file to say it is closed.
- I do not understand the notation in the corner of this page.
Grammar
Dictionary form
notation
IPA
GB/noʊtˈeɪʃən/
US/noʊtˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
nota - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: notation
- Plural: notation, notations
Word family
Forms
notations
noun
Core family
note
noun A1
notate
verb
Related words
annotate
verb B2
annotation
noun B1
Advanced or less common
notational
adjective
notationally
adverb
Expressions
chemical notation
1/kˈɛmɪkəl noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
symbols for elements and compounds
The letters and symbols that chemists use to show elements, compounds, and chemical reactions.
Examples
- Students must learn basic chemical notation, such as H₂O for water.
- The chart shows the chemical notation for each element in the periodic table.
- Chemical notation allows chemists around the world to understand each other.
mathematical notation
1/mˌæθəmˈætɪkəl noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
system of symbols for mathematics
The special symbols and writing style that show numbers, shapes, and operations in math.
Examples
- The professor spent the first lecture explaining the mathematical notation used in the book.
- Clear mathematical notation makes complex ideas easier to understand.
- Students often struggle more with the mathematical notation than with the concepts themselves.
musical notation
1/mjˈuzɪkəl noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
system of symbols for music
The system of lines, dots, and other marks that shows how music should be played or sung.
Examples
- She is learning to read musical notation so she can play classical pieces.
- Traditional musical notation does not always show the exact style of jazz performance.
- The course begins with the basics of musical notation and rhythm.
scientific notation
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
compact way to write big numbers
A short way to write very big or very small numbers using powers of ten, like 3.2 × 10^6.
Examples
- In physics we usually write distances in scientific notation.
- The teacher asked the students to convert each number into scientific notation.
- Scientific notation helps avoid long strings of zeros in calculations.
set notation
1/sˈɛt noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
symbols for mathematical sets
The special symbols that show groups of things in math, like { } for a set.
Examples
- The chapter introduces basic set notation such as union and intersection symbols.
- Many students find set notation confusing at first.
- Using set notation, we can describe the solution to the equation more clearly.
standard notation
1/stˈændɚd noʊtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
usual way to write numbers
The normal way to write a number, without using scientific notation or other special forms.
Examples
- Write each answer in standard notation, not in scientific notation.
- The worksheet asks students to change the numbers from standard notation to scientific notation.
- In everyday life we usually use standard notation for phone numbers and prices.