preordain

[pree-awr-deyn]

See more synonyms for preordain on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to ordain beforehand; foreordain.

Origin of preordain

First recorded in 1525–35; pre- + ordain

Related formspre·or·di·na·tion

[pree-awr-dn-ey-shuh n] /ˌpri ɔr dnˈeɪ ʃən/, nounun·pre·or·dained, adjective

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

Related Words for preordained

predetermine, foretell, bless, doom, foreordain, predestine

Examples from the Web for preordained

Contemporary Examples of preordained

But I thought it was worth underscoring because when it comes to science, we assume all previous discoveries were preordained.
Following Tuberculosis From Death Sentence to Cure
Tessa Miller
April 16, 2014
The witches generally represent some version of the Fates and make Macbeth believe that life is preordained.
Ethan Hawke On His Murderous, Seductive Turn as Macbeth
Janice Kaplan
November 23, 2013

Historical Examples of preordained

Whatever may befall thee, it was preordained for thee from everlasting.
Familiar Quotations
John Bartlett
And the now conscious stars have preordained this moment for my happiness.
The Beaux-Stratagem
George Farquhar
Whatever may befall thee, it was preordained for thee from ——.
English Synonyms and Antonyms
James Champlin Fernald
It is preordained that I am to be nothing but a cumberer of the ground.
My Lady Ludlow
Elizabeth Gaskell
Barbara knew that whether she was late or punctual had been preordained.
Lady Lilith
Stephen McKenna

British Dictionary definitions for preordained

preordain

verb

(tr) to ordain, decree, or appoint beforehand

Derived Formspreordination (ˌpriːɔːdɪˈneɪʃən), noun

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 preordained

preordain

1530s, from pre- + ordain (q.v.). Related: Preordained; preordaining.