determination

[ dih-tur-muh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.
2. ascertainment, as after observation or investigation:

   determination of a ship's latitude.

3. the information ascertained; solution.
4. the settlement of a dispute, question, etc., as by authoritative decision.
5. the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced.
6. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.
7. a fixed purpose or intention:

   It is my determination to suppress vice.

8. the fixing or settling of amount, limit, character, etc.:

   the determination of a child's allowance.

9. fixed direction or tendency toward some object or end.
10. Chiefly Law. conclusion or termination.
11. Embryology. the fixation of the fate of a cell or group of cells, especially before actual morphological or functional differentiation occurs.
12. Logic.
    1. the act of rendering a notion more precise by the addition of differentiating characteristics.
    2. the definition of a concept in terms of its constituent elements.

determination

/ dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of making a decision
2. the condition of being determined; resoluteness
3. the act or an instance of ending an argument by the opinion or decision of an authority
4. the act or an instance of fixing or settling the quality, limit, position, etc, of something
5. a decision or opinion reached, rendered, or settled upon
6. a resolute movement towards some object or end
7. law the termination of an estate or interest
8. law the decision reached by a court of justice on a disputed matter
9. logic
   1. the process of qualifying or limiting a proposition or concept
   2. the qualifications or limitations used in this process
10. the condition of embryonic tissues of being able to develop into only one particular tissue or organ in the adult

Other Words From

• inter·de·termi·nation noun
• nonde·termi·nation noun
• rede·termi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determination¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dēterminātiōn-, stem of dēterminātiō “boundary, conclusion,” literally “a bounding,” equivalent to dētermināt(us) “bounded” (past participle of dētermināre “to bound, limit”; determine ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Courts don’t generally review the president’s determinations on questions of national security, Dempsey said before the case was filed.

From Fortune

In making this determination, she’d relied exclusively on documents turned over to her by Cisterra.

From Voice of San Diego

For instance, a well-known system that categorizes seven basic emotions communicated by the same facial expressions in all cultures does not include expressions of pain and of the combination of determination and strain.

From Science News

Belarusians are increasingly unable to tolerate the authoritarian tactics of Lukashenko and the determination to oust him is clear.

From No Straight News

If they did, they’d have to recuse themselves, because the property owner could allege the “judge” had made a determination before he went to “trial.”

From Voice of San Diego

So where does this leave the millions of Palestinians—like my relatives—who dream of self-determination and a sovereign state?

From The Daily Beast

They want more determination from authorities, a greater sense of direction, and they need more equipment.

From The Daily Beast

But she respects grit and determination, in allies and opponents alike.

From The Daily Beast

And then there is the shooting of Brown and the grand jury whose determination is awaited by the whole country.

From The Daily Beast

“Very frequently what is referred to as ‘pain’ is actually a broader determination of quality of life,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

He stamped his foot to the ground in vexation, and recurred to his original determination.

From Project Gutenberg

That it was his determination to hazard all things rather than chill the coalition.

From Project Gutenberg

On the threshold of my new work such encouragement greatly cheered me and increased my determination to do my best.

From Project Gutenberg

He was, however, a strong manly fellow, with a great deal of determination mingled with good humour.

From Project Gutenberg

The young artillery cadet had both determination and capacity and his early career foreshadowed his future success.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assurance
• boldness
• bravery
• conviction
• courage
• decision
• dedication
• energy
• fortitude
• grit
• persistence
• resolve
• self-confidence
• steadfastness
• tenacity
• valor
• willpower