determination

American  

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

noun

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

• interdetermination noun
• nondetermination noun
• redetermination noun

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

A cynical determination to beat them at their own game of nonstop cynicism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

"We are an educated people with strong determination and we deserve to have our own state," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

The government has exhibited a high level of political commitment and unwavering determination to eradicate online scams and to hold those responsible fully accountable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The letter said that “opening an investigation does not mean that OCR has made a final determination with regard to the merits.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

I walked back to my room, trying to hold on to some of the determination I’d felt earlier.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

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