determinant
Americannoun
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determinants
plural
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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, 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:
On admissions, he said tests “should be part of the process, not a determinant factor.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
After your basic financial needs are met, climate may be the single biggest determinant of day-to-day happiness.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
It is straightforward to come up with examples of functions that merge points, and also examples of polynomial mappings that have a constant Jacobian determinant.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
But the bigger determinant of fuel prices is the global market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
I have been dwelling on latitude, readily assessed by a glance at a map, because it is a major determinant of climate, growing conditions, and ease of spread of food production.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Many social determinants of health influence longevity, he added, such as access to food, housing, and transportation.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
And you can’t talk about health without addressing its broader social determinants: housing, food security and financial stability.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
Along with neighbouring Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent is the first Marmot council in Wales - this means it is committed to reducing health inequalities by addressing social determinants such as education, employment, and housing.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 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
First, Dobzhansky noted, genotypes were not the sole determinants of phenotypes.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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