determination

[dih-tur-muh-ney-shuhn]

noun

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.

determination

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• interdetermination noun
• nondetermination noun
• redetermination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determination¹

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”; determine ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The answer isn’t complicated, but acting on it will take determination and courage.

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A team of overachievers filled with a roster of best friends combined chemistry, determination and toughness to overcome all odds.

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Nearly a century later, their resolve and determination are as palpable as they were when first captured on camera.

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Twenty-five years on, Damilola is remembered not only for the tragic way his life ended, but for the hope and determination he continues to inspire.

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A modern player is more likely to tackle difficult conditions with aggression than try to survive with solid defence, patience and determination.

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Related Words

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