determine

[ dih-tur-min ]
See synonyms for: determinedetermineddeterminesdetermining on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.
  1. to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.

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

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

  2. to give direction or tendency to; impel.

  3. Geometry. to fix the position of.

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

  5. Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.

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

  7. to decide upon.

verb (used without object),de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.
  1. to come to a decision or resolution; decide.

  2. Chiefly Law. to come to an end.

Origin of determine

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French determiner, from Latin dētermināre “to mark out and fix boundaries,” equivalent to dē- prefix indicating separation + termināre “to bound, limit”; see de-, terminate

Other words for determine

Other words from determine

  • in·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

Words Nearby determine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use determine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for determine

determine

/ (dɪˈtɜːmɪn) /


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

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

  1. (tr) to shape or influence; give direction to: experience often determines ability

  2. (tr) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etc: the river determined the edge of the property

  3. to make or cause to make a decision: he determined never to marry

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

  5. (tr) geometry to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration of: two points determine a line

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

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

Origin of determine

1
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

Other Idioms and Phrases with determine

determine

see bound and determined.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.