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”; determine ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Because sex determination plays a role in how species form, this adds another layer to understanding evolution.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

"It's down there deep. So… it's pretty safe. But, you know, we'll make a determination."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

"It was really driven by his determination to help his dog."

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Even a fool could read the determination on the Bruins’ faces as they roared back from a 39-31 halftime deficit; they’d come so far together, but they so badly wanted to go further.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

His blue bag was slung over his shoulder, honest industry beamed in his eyes, a determination to proceed to Trabb’s with cheerful briskness was indicated in his gait.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

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