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

Allowed by another recent reform, these would serve either as the final destination or as transfer centres for those expelled.

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026

Beyond bachelorette parties, social gatherings and couples looking to decompress, Voda remains a destination for Eastern Europeans in the Los Angeles area.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

The mayor's vision needed a body to oversee the transformation and to create a cultural and retail destination, they argue.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

In the lead-up to Nov. 3, the agency’s plan is to route ballots meant for local election offices to a nearby postal facility or directly to their destination.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026

The trolley sailed across glittering ropes, making lefts and rights as it stopped at each destination.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

He would type “EV chargers near me” into his phone’s web browser, only to discover that the destinations either didn’t have chargers at all, or were Tesla ones incompatible with the Ioniq’s plug.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

The tower’s location will also place residents within walking distance of the upscale boutiques, restaurants, and cultural attractions that have helped transform the surrounding neighborhood into one of Miami’s most sought-after destinations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

Rather than broadcasting one general message, it delivers signals to specific destinations, with different groups of neurons responding to different experiences.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

It was his second trip to the country this year and experts say what is significant this time is the timing of the visit as well as his choice of destinations.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Dewey and the eighteen men assisting him had pursued hundreds of leads to barren destinations, and she hoped to warn him against another disappointment, for she was worried about his health.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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