preordain

American  

[pree-awr-deyn] / ˌpri ɔrˈdeɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to ordain beforehand; foreordain.

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preordain British  

/ ˌpriːɔːdɪˈneɪʃən, ˌpriːɔːˈdeɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to ordain, decree, or appoint beforehand

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Other Word Forms

• preordination noun
• unpreordained adjective

Etymology

Origin of preordain

First recorded in 1525–35; pre- + ordain

Example Sentences

A most recent example comes from Ilia Malinin, the American figure skater whose hopes for an individual gold medal in the Olympics, which had been regarded as a preordained inevitability evaporated in a mistake-laden routine.

From Los Angeles Times

The decision overall gives a sense that the investigators’ conclusion was preordained.

From The Wall Street Journal

But this weekend defied the notion that only a few schools were preordained to contend.

From The Wall Street Journal

People come into their careers with a preordained notion of what work they’re going to do.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ejae, meanwhile, offered an anecdote that suggests “Golden’s” success may have been preordained.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• foretell
• predetermine