destination

American  

[des-tuh-ney-shuhn] / ˌdɛs təˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent.

   Her destination was Rome.

2. the purpose for which something is destined.

---

adjective

1. noting an attraction or event that people are willing to travel a long distance to get to, either because it is very good or distinctive or because it is located in a popular and interesting place.

   destination restaurants and resorts;

   a destination wedding in the Caribbean.

destination British  

/ ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the predetermined end of a journey or voyage

2. the ultimate end or purpose for which something is created or a person is destined

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multidestination
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of destination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dēstinātiōn-, stem of dēstinātiō “establishment, purpose,” from dēstināt(us) “established” (past participle of dēstināre “to determine, establish”; see destine) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Destination can describe where you are going, like a traveler whose destination is Paris, or a place that is known for a particular purpose, such as a hip new music club that's a destination for fans of indie rock. The noun destination comes from the Latin word destinare, meaning "determine, appoint, choose, make firm or fast." If you choose a destination, that's where you intend to end up, the "finish line" or goal that you keep in mind, like a friend's house that is the destination of a walk that might be interrupted a number of times, as you stop in stores along the way and pause to talk to the people you meet.

Example Sentences

All of these settings, fictional or otherwise, were created in Wales, a destination that has seen a huge boom in television production over the last few years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Roland Lescure, France’s minister of economy, finance, and industrial, energy, and digital sovereignty, called the investment a testament to Macron’s ambition to make France a leading AI destination.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

That park, Dollywood, has become a destination attraction and has spurred development in the Great Smoky Mountains region.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

To call it purgatory would imply that this is not Clark’s final destination.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

She landed short of her destination rather than continuing blindly into the storm.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• harbor
• haven
• station
• stop
• target
• terminal