determination

American  

[dih-tur-muh-nay-shuhn] / dɪˌtɜr məˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• determinations
  plural

1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.

2. ascertainment, as after observation or investigation.

   determination of a ship's latitude.

3. the information ascertained; solution.

4. the settlement of a dispute, question, etc., as by authoritative decision.

5. the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced.

6. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.

7. a fixed purpose or intention.

   It is my determination to suppress vice.

8. the fixing or settling of amount, limit, character, etc..

   the determination of a child's allowance.

9. fixed direction or tendency toward some object or end.

10. Chiefly Law. conclusion or termination.

11. Embryology. the fixation of the fate of a cell or group of cells, especially before actual morphological or functional differentiation occurs.

12. Logic.

    1. the act of rendering a notion more precise by the addition of differentiating characteristics.

    2. the definition of a concept in terms of its constituent elements.

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determination British  

/ dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of making a decision

2. the condition of being determined; resoluteness

3. the act or an instance of ending an argument by the opinion or decision of an authority

4. the act or an instance of fixing or settling the quality, limit, position, etc, of something

5. a decision or opinion reached, rendered, or settled upon

6. a resolute movement towards some object or end

7. law the termination of an estate or interest

8. law the decision reached by a court of justice on a disputed matter

9. logic

   1. the process of qualifying or limiting a proposition or concept

   2. the qualifications or limitations used in this process

10. the condition of embryonic tissues of being able to develop into only one particular tissue or organ in the adult

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interdetermination
  noun
• nondetermination
  noun
• redetermination
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• determinations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of determination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dēterminātiōn-, stem of dēterminātiō “boundary, conclusion,” literally “a bounding,” equivalent to dētermināt(us) “bounded” (past participle of dētermināre “to bound, limit”; see determine) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

Determination can be a decision, or the focus you need to get something done. The sense of determination, as making up your mind about something, finds its roots in an Old French word meaning “decision," such as the judge's determination that the man was guilty, or the panel's determination that the chocolate was too bitter. Usually the decision comes after much consideration and research, like when Copernicus made the determination that the earth revolves around the sun. The word has come to mean also grit, gumption, pluck, persistence: "With hard work and determination, they were able finish the school project on time."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

determination determinations

Judge Sullivan could make a determination over whether the case can proceed on Monday or he could rule later in writing, criminal defence lawyer Elyse Hershon told the BBC.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

The United States claimed a second try with the final play of the match as Kate Zackary dived over around the fringes at the end of a surge that summed up their determination.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The men are “all taken with her, the energetic glimmer in her blue eyes, her feisty determination, her international charm,” Mr. Makos writes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

“Based on the Medical Examiner’s determination and the findings of the investigation, Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental,” officials in Greenville, S.C., said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

Anyone who knew Ruth knew that her determination to succeed was phenomenal.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

Right: Despite holding that TPS determinations are generally unreviewable, Alito acknowledged that plaintiffs could still raise constitutional challenges, something only Justice Clarence Thomas disagreed with.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

With Friday’s victory, Paramount is staying on that timetable, but regulators in Europe and Britain have opened their own regulatory investigations and are expected to make their own determinations in the coming months.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

Congress required the DHS Secretary to periodically review the country determinations, and it limited extensions to 18 months at a time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

It's not feasible to have 50 different states coming out with their own determinations, Deputy Solicitor General Sarah Harris said.

From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026

He spoke to her flatly, turned to the side; then swiveling to survey her heighth rapidly, he delivered his determinations respecting her inquiries, and was done with her.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

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Related Words

• assurance
• boldness
• bravery
• conviction
• courage
• decision
• dedication
• energy
• fortitude
• grit
• persistence
• resolve
• self-confidence
• steadfastness
• tenacity
• valor
• willpower

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