determination

American  

[dih-tur-muh-nay-shuhn] / dɪˌtɜr məˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• determinations
  plural

1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.

2. ascertainment, as after observation or investigation.

   determination of a ship's latitude.

3. the information ascertained; solution.

4. the settlement of a dispute, question, etc., as by authoritative decision.

5. the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced.

6. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.

7. a fixed purpose or intention.

   It is my determination to suppress vice.

8. the fixing or settling of amount, limit, character, etc..

   the determination of a child's allowance.

9. fixed direction or tendency toward some object or end.

10. Chiefly Law. conclusion or termination.

11. Embryology. the fixation of the fate of a cell or group of cells, especially before actual morphological or functional differentiation occurs.

12. Logic.

    1. the act of rendering a notion more precise by the addition of differentiating characteristics.

    2. the definition of a concept in terms of its constituent elements.

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determination British  

/ dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of making a decision

2. the condition of being determined; resoluteness

3. the act or an instance of ending an argument by the opinion or decision of an authority

4. the act or an instance of fixing or settling the quality, limit, position, etc, of something

5. a decision or opinion reached, rendered, or settled upon

6. a resolute movement towards some object or end

7. law the termination of an estate or interest

8. law the decision reached by a court of justice on a disputed matter

9. logic

   1. the process of qualifying or limiting a proposition or concept

   2. the qualifications or limitations used in this process

10. the condition of embryonic tissues of being able to develop into only one particular tissue or organ in the adult

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interdetermination
  noun
• nondetermination
  noun
• redetermination
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• determinations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of determination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dēterminātiōn-, stem of dēterminātiō “boundary, conclusion,” literally “a bounding,” equivalent to dētermināt(us) “bounded” (past participle of dētermināre “to bound, limit”; see determine) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Determination can be a decision, or the focus you need to get something done. The sense of determination, as making up your mind about something, finds its roots in an Old French word meaning “decision," such as the judge's determination that the man was guilty, or the panel's determination that the chocolate was too bitter. Usually the decision comes after much consideration and research, like when Copernicus made the determination that the earth revolves around the sun. The word has come to mean also grit, gumption, pluck, persistence: "With hard work and determination, they were able finish the school project on time."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

determination determinations

Sir Chris told BBC News NI that the original Parades Commission determination would remain in place, despite his decision to stop the parade.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

He had said while the PSNI's objective was to facilitate the determination, this could not be done "at all costs".

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Thematically, too, there was a determination to venture into more adult territory than any kids’ cartoon had previously.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Argus developed the technique with scientists from JPL's satellite orbit determination team, the University of Nevada, University of Montana, and the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

He admired Kennedy’s determination to end the war, and helped the candidate craft speeches in preparation for the pivotal California Democratic primary.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Congress required the DHS Secretary to periodically review country determinations with extensions limited to 18 months at a time, though they are often extended for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Right: Despite holding that TPS determinations are generally unreviewable, Alito acknowledged that plaintiffs could still raise constitutional challenges, something only Justice Clarence Thomas disagreed with.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

"The investigation of suspected criminal offences resulting from alleged breaches of the Commission's determinations is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland," the Commission said in a statement.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

Meanwhile, courts are struggling under the additional burden of reviewing bail determinations for scores of defendants already in custody.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

He spoke to her flatly, turned to the side; then swiveling to survey her heighth rapidly, he delivered his determinations respecting her inquiries, and was done with her.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• assurance
• boldness
• bravery
• conviction
• courage
• decision
• dedication
• energy
• fortitude
• grit
• persistence
• resolve
• self-confidence
• steadfastness
• tenacity
• valor
• willpower