destination

American  

[des-tuh-ney-shuhn] / ˌdɛs təˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent.

   Her destination was Rome.

2. the purpose for which something is destined.

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adjective

1. noting an attraction or event that people are willing to travel a long distance to get to, either because it is very good or distinctive or because it is located in a popular and interesting place.

   destination restaurants and resorts;

   a destination wedding in the Caribbean.

destination British  

/ ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the predetermined end of a journey or voyage

2. the ultimate end or purpose for which something is created or a person is destined

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Other Word Forms

• multidestination
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of destination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dēstinātiōn-, stem of dēstinātiō “establishment, purpose,” from dēstināt(us) “established” (past participle of dēstināre “to determine, establish”; see destine) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Destination can describe where you are going, like a traveler whose destination is Paris, or a place that is known for a particular purpose, such as a hip new music club that's a destination for fans of indie rock. The noun destination comes from the Latin word destinare, meaning "determine, appoint, choose, make firm or fast." If you choose a destination, that's where you intend to end up, the "finish line" or goal that you keep in mind, like a friend's house that is the destination of a walk that might be interrupted a number of times, as you stop in stores along the way and pause to talk to the people you meet.

Example Sentences

Destination and handling fees, for example, have climbed to $1,658 per vehicle this year, after rising to $1,551 in 2025 from $1,425 in 2024, Keating said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

“It’s like duck hunting through a chimney,” said Craig Molitor, head of Destination Lake Winnebago.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

One advert has the tagline "Final Destination - ICU".

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Columbus will write the script with “Final Destination Bloodlines” directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

There was no word of Destination or Purpose.

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

Related Words

• harbor
• haven
• station
• stop
• target
• terminal