destination

American  

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

noun

• destinations
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• multidestination
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• destinations
  plural

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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

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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

See Examples For:

destination destinations

Although vehicles will be encouraged to use the official route, Caltrans acknowledged that drivers will take the path of least resistance to their destination.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

It was a reassuring sign that he was headed in the right direction: His destination lay on the edge of a pond.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Users can choose their destination and dates later, and there aren’t any blackout dates or additional fees, according to the Happiness Insurance website.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Torrential rains caused by Simon have already caused flooding in Acapulco, another major tourist destination further south.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

“Even if I could, I cannot leave this swamp. It is the only destination I can picture.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Three different rail services operate through the tunnel - the Eurostar, a passenger train that begins in London and goes to several European destinations, freight trains which transport goods and Le Shuttle, which transports vehicles.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Senate, took at least 17 trips over three months, including to resort destinations Park City, Utah, and Vail, Colorado.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

Many residents in popular destinations like Barcelona complain that short-term tourist accommodation is limiting supply and driving up prices.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Tel Aviv has been one of FlyDubai’s key destinations since the U.A.E. and Israel agreed to normalize relations in 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

In the early decades of the twentieth century, the streetcar traveled up and down the Black Belt throughout the day, picking up passengers along the way, setting them down again at their destinations.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

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Related Words

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