annotation

noun

an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce annotation (audio)
Synonyms of annotation
1
: a note added by way of comment or explanation
The bibliography was provided with helpful annotations.
2
: the act of annotating something

Examples of annotation in a Sentence

Without the annotations, the diagram would be hard to understand. the author's annotation of the diagram
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
ScreenPal offers a more substantial video editor as a premium add-on, with features including live video annotation, green-screen filters, and access to asset libraries. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 Amazon also looked to capitalize on the demand for AI training by marketing MTurk as a data annotation source for its SageMaker service. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 This novel comes to readers in the form of a poem—one written by a fictional poet and accompanied by annotations from the poet’s (also fictional) colleague. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 The hundred-and-ninety-two-page document appeared to be an incomplete draft, and was filled with annotations, in bright-red text, about factual errors and unsourced claims. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for annotation

Word History

Etymology

see annotate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of annotation was in the 15th century

Rhymes for annotation

See All Rhymes for annotation

Browse Nearby Words

annotated
annotation
annotator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Annotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annotation. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

annotation

noun
an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌan-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce annotation (audio)
1
: the act of annotating
2
: a note added as a comment or explanation

Legal Definition

annotation

noun
an·​no·​ta·​tion ˌa-nə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce annotation (audio)
1
: a note added (as to a statute) by way of comment or explanation often furnishing summaries of relevant court decisions
2
capitalized : an informational and descriptive note or essay (as about a case or legal issue) especially in American Law Reports

More from Merriam-Webster on annotation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for annotation

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