Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

determine

[dih-tur-min]
See more synonyms for determine on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), de·ter·mined, de·ter·min·ing.
  1. to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.
  2. to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.
  3. Geometry. to fix the position of.
  4. to cause, affect, or control; fix or decide causally: Demand for a product usually determines supply.
  5. to give direction or tendency to; impel.
  6. Logic. to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.
  7. Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.
  8. to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.
  9. to decide upon.
Show More
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.
Show More

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
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

Synonyms

See more synonyms for determine on Thesaurus.com
1. resolve, adjust. 2. verify. 4. influence. 5. induce, lead, incline.

Synonym study

1. See decide.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for determining

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • That always had been his determining argument: that one must take risks.

    The Foolish Lovers

    St. John G. Ervine

  • There was certainly some determining cause underlying all this which escaped her.

  • The beginner will have little difficulty in determining this genus.

  • Dr. Peterson says that the sunstroke was only the determining cause.

  • Who they were, we have no means of determining except from Plato's description of them.

    Sophist

    Plato

British Dictionary definitions for determining

determine

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
  3. (tr) to shape or influence; give direction toexperience often determines ability
  4. (tr) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etcthe river determined the edge of the property
  5. to make or cause to make a decisionhe determined never to marry
  6. (tr) logic to define or limit (a notion) by adding or requiring certain features or characteristics
  7. (tr) geometry to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration oftwo points determine a line
  8. mainly law to come or bring to an end, as an estate or interest in land
  9. (tr) to decide (a legal action or dispute)
Show More

Word Origin

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 determining

determine

v.

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with determining

determine

see bound and determined.

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