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 President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sciver-Brunt's demeanour around the press is relaxed but with a steely edge while Edwards has a quiet determination.

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The determination of the armed conflict comes after three airstrikes on alleged drug smuggling boats from Venezuela by U.S. forces in September.

Read more on Salon

But one thing remains steadfast - the determination of a grieving family to uncover the truth.

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This progress stands on the determination of the good majority of our people who have stepped forward and reported wrongdoing at three times the rate.

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Related Words

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