determine
Americanverb (used with object)
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to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.
- Synonyms:
- verify
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to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.
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to cause, affect, or control; fix or decide causally.
Demand for a product usually determines supply.
- Synonyms:
- influence
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to give direction or tendency to; impel.
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Geometry. to fix the position of.
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Logic. to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.
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Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.
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to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.
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to decide upon.
verb (used without object)
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to come to a decision or resolution; decide.
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Chiefly Law. to come to an end.
verb
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to settle or decide (an argument, question, etc) conclusively, as by referring to an authority
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(tr) to ascertain or conclude, esp after observation or consideration
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(tr) to shape or influence; give direction to
experience often determines ability
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(tr) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etc
the river determined the edge of the property
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to make or cause to make a decision
he determined never to marry
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(tr) logic to define or limit (a notion) by adding or requiring certain features or characteristics
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(tr) geometry to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration of
two points determine a line
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law to come or bring to an end, as an estate or interest in land
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(tr) to decide (a legal action or dispute)
Usage
What does determine mean? Determine means to conclude, as after reasoning or observing, as in After considering all my options, I’ve determined which college I want to attend.Generally, to determine something is to come to a conclusive decision from a place of authority on the subject.Determine can also mean to cause or control, as in How much homework my teacher assigns will determine whether I can go to the game tonight.Determine is also used to mean to give direction to, as a boss might determine what tasks their employees will do.Example: I have determined that the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Other Word Forms
- interdetermine verb (used with object)
- quasi-determine verb
- redetermine verb
- undetermining adjective
Etymology
Origin of determine
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French determiner, from Latin dētermināre “to mark out and fix boundaries,” equivalent to dē- prefix indicating separation + termināre “to bound, limit”; de-, terminate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The readiness of charging hubs—where vehicles are powered, cleaned, maintained and inspected—is what will determine how fast this industry grows.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The research team wanted to determine whether signals from these cells could disrupt otherwise healthy lungs.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
The state investigator also requested the X-ray tests that deputies had used to wrongly determine that the two grenades were inert, according to the complaint.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
Such systems “may determine pay by what the firm knows about how much a nurse was willing to accept for a previous assignment,” the report’s authors wrote, locking them into lower pay bands over time.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
“Cards. You will be able to determine fortunes.”
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
