Denomination, n.
Etymology: [L. denominatio metonymy: cf. F. dénomination a naming.]
1. The act of naming or designating.
2. That by which anything is denominated or styled; an epithet; a name, designation, or title; especially, a general name indicating a class of like individuals; a category; as, the denomination of units, or of thousands, or of fourths, or of shillings, or of tons. Those [qualities] which are classed under the denomination of sublime. Burke.
3. A class, or society of individuals, called by the same name; a sect; as, a denomination of Christians.
Syn. -- Name; appellation; title. See Name.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for denomination; he lists it under name, term.
Where he writes about it:
The term denomination is applied to a separate religious organization, without the opprobrious meaning attaching to the word "sect;" also, to designate any class of like objects collectively, especially money or notes of a certain value; as, the sum was in notes of the denomination of one thousand dollars. — from name