determinant
Americannoun
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a determining agent or factor.
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Mathematics. an algebraic expression of the sum of products of elements, each with an appropriate algebraic sign, usually written in a square array and used in the solution of systems of linear equations.
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Also called antigenic determinant,. Also called epitope. Immunology. any site on an antigen molecule at which an antibody can bind, the chemical structure of the site determining the specific combining antibody.
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Genetics Archaic. a gene.
adjective
noun
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a factor, circumstance, etc, that influences or determines
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maths a square array of elements that represents the sum of certain products of these elements, used to solve simultaneous equations, in vector studies, etc Compare matrix
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of determinant
First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin dēterminant- (stem of dētermināns ), present participle of dētermināre; see determine, -ant
Explanation
A determinant is a factor or cause that makes something happen or leads directly to a decision. The word determinant hasn't strayed much from its roots in the Latin word for "determining." As a noun or adjective, it refers to determining or deciding something. A snowstorm could be a determinant in school being canceled. Or a good health-care plan could be the determinant in someone taking a job. The determinant cause of a disease is responsible for the spread of the disease. Anything described as determinant is important.
Vocabulary lists containing determinant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But the bigger determinant of fuel prices is the global market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
If regulation meaningfully affects output and inflation, it belongs alongside fiscal and monetary policy as a central determinant of economic performance.
From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026
“Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery confirms that the stand-alone platform era is ending, with scale becoming the primary determinant of competitiveness.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2025
While the general market celebrates cheaper liquidity, the real determinant of the next wave of biotech leaders is the concentration of capital.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 10, 2025
A study indicates that whether or not a department has a mathematics or a statistics requirement is the most important single determinant of where a woman will attend graduate school to study political science.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Fourth: Housing is one of the most important determinants of our health.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
Plaid Cymru said it would address "the social determinants of mental health.. by ensuring that the public and third sectors work effectively together" if elected to government, and Labour has been asked for comment.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
"For many years, lifespan was attributed mainly to non-genetic factors, fueling skepticism about genetic determinants of longevity."
From Science Daily ● Apr. 13, 2026
“There are statewide and local policies that influence food, nutrition and social determinants of health for individuals,” said Velazquez.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026
First, Dobzhansky noted, genotypes were not the sole determinants of phenotypes.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
