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

So the ship’s captain hailed authorities and was given a new destination — the area off the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Finally, in 2012, it opened as the destination of coaching and development of the England team at all levels.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

The Pegulas picked up the warm-weather escape in the popular vacation destination in 2005 for $4,075,000.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

It’s a travel destination for a team sponsor, Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

He hadn’t wanted that: some inner devil persuaded him that he had not yet reached his destination.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Paid posts from food bloggers "who sing high praises about shops or destinations" have also drawn complaints when their recommendations are disappointing.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

Read on for tips from frequent travelers and travel advisers on how to enjoy its destinations without facing endless lines or scary prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

Even in popular destinations, it’s possible to seek out quieter corners.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

"People will ask questions, but we just reassure people that there is absolutely no problems with those destinations," she says.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Claudia would also drive him to and from certain out-of-the-way Los Angeles destinations; otherwise he was quite adept at traveling by bus to wherever he wanted to go.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

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