predetermine

[pree-di-tur-min]

verb (used with object)

predetermined, predetermining 

1. to settle or decide in advance.

   He had predetermined his answer to the offer.

2. to ordain in advance; predestine.

   She believed that God had predetermined her sorrow.

3. to direct or impel; influence strongly.

   His sympathy for poor people predetermined his choice of a career.

predetermine

/ ˌpriːdɪˈtɜːmɪn /

verb

1. to determine beforehand

2. to influence or incline towards an opinion beforehand; bias

Other Word Forms

• predetermination noun
• predeterminer noun
• predeterminative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predetermine¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + determine

Example Sentences

Call options on the S&P 500 will deliver a payoff if the index rises above a predetermined level before a given time, which is known as the expiration date.

Read more on MarketWatch

AI will probably at some point in the future be able to manipulate the markets on any given day to a predetermined outcome in favor of companies not people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The panel was acting based on “predetermined ideology,” not science, said Crawford, a past president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who specializes in treating childhood seizures.

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If vacancy rates are below a predetermined level, it gets more units.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Police then said several suspects had been arrested following what appeared to be a "targeted and predetermined" assassination.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• predispose