A name or title; a nominal designation — a label or appellation used for something, often indicating its stated purpose.
報告書の名目は『年度業績報告』となっている。
The report is titled 'Annual Performance Report.'
支出を別の名目で処理した。
We processed the expense under a different title.
名目上は代表だが、実権は別の人物が握っている。
In name he is the representative, but the real power is held by someone else.
A pretext or pretense; an ostensible reason used as cover for a different actual purpose.
会議は表向きは研修の名目だが、実際は人事の発表だった。
The meeting was nominally for training, but in fact it was to announce personnel changes.
税金の軽減を名目にして不正が行われた。
Fraud was committed under the pretext of tax relief.
名目ばかりで実質的な効果はなかった。
It was only nominal and had no substantial effect.