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

Clacton has been on every politician's lips with the seaside town's railway station the destination for day trips by activists, cabinet ministers and big Westminster names.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

That process must be repeated, in reverse, at the destination port.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Big Sur has faced a relentless cycle of natural disasters over the past decade including destructive wildfires, mudflows, rockslides and coastal erosion that threatens its steep and fragile landscape and has isolated the iconic destination.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

"There's no better place to create a destination that celebrates the magic, creativity and storytelling that has captivated generations of fans around the world," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“Pita, we’re here. You’re going to be okay, mamita,” I said as we stood staring down at our destination.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Hurricane Lala disrupted travel between Los Angeles and Hawaii on Saturday, canceling flights from LAX to destinations across the islands as the Category 1 storm approached the Big Island.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Tourists are growing more sensitive to prices, destinations and the type of vacation on offer, Ebel said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

The company noted renewed interest in Eastern Mediterranean destinations as holidaymakers return to the region after months of geopolitical uncertainty.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Airbnb’s stock has remained relatively flat since its IPO in 2020, in part because of persistent headwinds from home-rental restrictions in major urban destinations.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

“There’s a map mash-up that allows you to enter multiple destinations and it will spit out a variety of itineraries. Not that she’d know about this program. But still, I want to see.”

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

Related Words

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