predestination

American  

[pri-des-tuh-ney-shuhn, pree-des-] / prɪˌdɛs təˈneɪ ʃən, ˌpri dɛs- /

noun

1. an act of predestinating or predestining.

2. the state of being predestinated or predestined.

3. fate; destiny.

4. Theology.

   1. the action of God in foreordaining from eternity whatever comes to pass.

   2. the decree of God by which certain souls are foreordained to salvation.

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predestination British  

/ priːˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. theol

   1. the act of God foreordaining every event from eternity

   2. the doctrine or belief, esp associated with Calvin, that the final salvation of some of mankind is foreordained from eternity by God

2. the act of predestining or the state of being predestined

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predestination Cultural  

1. In theology, the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation (see also salvation) for others.

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Etymology

Origin of predestination

1300–50; Middle English predestinacioun < Late Latin praedestinātiōn- (stem of praedestinātiō ). See predestinate, -ion

Explanation

If you think everything happens for a reason and we have no control over our own futures, then you believe in predestination. In religious terms, predestination is the belief that everything that happens has already been determined by God — He's got a master plan, and there's no deviating from it. It's kind of a depressing and extreme world view that doesn't leave much room for making personal choices. Predestination is related to the concept of omniscience — meaning God knows everything. If you're a strong believer in free will, then you'll probably hate the idea of predestination.

Example Sentences

Her focus is the West Valley, which has emerged as a premier destination for AI data center development—and where she has become the go-to developer and global capital partners staking their claim in the desert.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

More recently, it has also emerged as a premier destination for U.K. residents in search of a sunny, uncomplicated alternative to modern Britain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Analysts have warned that any actions that undermine the integrity of the U.S. as the world’s premier destination for capital could cause financial assets such as the dollar and U.S. bonds to sell off.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

When the team held its second meeting with Sasaki, as the Athletic first reported, star players were in attendance, underscoring the club’s message as being the premier destination in Major League Baseball.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

The New Victory remains the city’s premier destination for children’s theater.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024