determine

[ dih-tur-min ]

/ dɪˈtɜr mɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR determine ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.

to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.

Geometry. to fix the position of.

to cause, affect, or control; fix or decide causally: Demand for a product usually determines supply.

to give direction or tendency to; impel.

Logic. to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.

Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.

to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.

to decide upon.

verb (used without object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

to come to a decision or resolution; decide.

Chiefly Law. to come to an end.

Nearby words

Origin of determine

1325–75; Middle English determinen < Anglo-French, Old French determiner < Latin dētermināre, equivalent to dē- de- + termināre to bound, limit; see terminate

SYNONYMS FOR determine

1 resolve, adjust.

2 verify.

4 influence.

5 induce, lead, incline.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR determine ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ter·de·ter·mine, verb (used with object), in·ter·de·ter·mined, in·ter·de·ter·min·ing.qua·si-de·ter·mine, verb, qua·si-de·ter·mined, qua·si-de·ter·min·ing.re·de·ter·mine, verb, re·de·ter·mined, re·de·ter·min·ing.un·de·ter·min·ing, adjective

Synonym study

1. See decide.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for determine

The fear of violence should not determine what one does or does not say.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That makes it incredibly difficult to determine the effects of airstrikes, for example.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Where the U.S. once depended on its own forces to determine who was military material, this time the Iraqis will decide.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
What does Bondi mean that clerks now should “determine how to proceed”?
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Can they determine that individual citizens should not have access to rights provided by the Constitution?
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is impossible to determine nicely where the land ends and the sea begins.
In the Heart of Vosges|Matilda Betham-Edwards
Some species germinate quicker than others, and the operator must determine by previous trial what these differences are.
The Nursery Book|Liberty Hyde Bailey
She is not able to determine the exact line of her descent, but the blood of three races mingles in her veins.
Twelve Years a Slave|Solomon Northup
Was she trying to fathom his meditations, or determine how far they were to affect her own future?
Told In The Hills|Marah Ellis Ryan
And first of all, he must determine what is the proof of the inspiration of a book.
History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology|John F. Hurst

British Dictionary definitions for determine

determine

/ (dɪˈtɜːmɪn) /

verb

to settle or decide (an argument, question, etc) conclusively, as by referring to an authority

(tr) to ascertain or conclude, esp after observation or consideration

(tr) to shape or influence; give direction toexperience often determines ability

(tr) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etcthe river determined the edge of the property

to make or cause to make a decisionhe determined never to marry

(tr) logic to define or limit (a notion) by adding or requiring certain features or characteristics

(tr) geometry to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration oftwo points determine a line

mainly law to come or bring to an end, as an estate or interest in land

(tr) to decide (a legal action or dispute)

Word Origin for determine

C14: from Old French determiner, from Latin dētermināre to set boundaries to, from de- + termināre to limit; see terminate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for determine

determine

mid-14c., "to come to an end," also "to settle, decide" (late 14c.), from Old French determiner (12c.) or directly from Latin determinare "to enclose, bound, set limits to," from de- "off" (see de-) + terminare "to mark the end or boundary," from terminus "end, limit" (see terminus). Sense of "coming to a firm decision" (to do something) is from mid-15c. Related: Determined; determining; determiner.

Idioms and Phrases with determine

determine

see bound and determined.

determine

verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

verb (used without object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.

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Origin of determine

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Examples from the Web for determine

British Dictionary definitions for determine

determine

verb

Word Origin for determine

Word Origin and History for determine

determine

Idioms and Phrases with determine

determine