destination

American  

[des-tuh-ney-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

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

See Examples For:

destination destinations

There's been growing hype about Japan as a travel destination among young British people.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Nothing in the gross graphic suggests that Guatemala is the final destination for Migra Ms. Frizzle and her detainees.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

YINCHUAN, China—When Emma Gao made the unlikely decision to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in the sandstorm-swept foothills of China’s Ningxia region in 2007, she had little thought of selling her wine at destination restaurants abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Hera is currently traveling toward its main destination, the asteroid moon Dimorphos.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

When they arrived at their destination, Port Conway, young Charlie Lucas stopped the wagon in front of the home of William Rollins, a farmer and fisherman.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

But for some visitors, the hustle and bustle of the tourist destinations are all part of the attraction.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

This on a list of new destinations including Luxembourg; Ibiza; Marseille, France; Terceira, Portugal; and Olbia and Catania in Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

For the last two weeks, a little bird with big feet has turned a 320-acre marsh in Irvine into one of the hottest birding destinations in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Many of Scotland's other Instagram-famous destinations are also under strain from the volume of tourists, says Greenwood.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

I try to spend my breaks on journeys between changing destinations, so at least I always look like I've got somewhere to be.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

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