predetermine

[ pree-di-tur-min ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·de·ter·mined, pre·de·ter·min·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌpredeˈterminative, adjective
• ˌpredeˌtermiˈnation, noun
• ˌpredeˈterminer, noun

Other Words From

• prede·termi·nation noun
• pre·de·ter·mi·na·tive [pree-di-, tur, -m, uh, -ney-tiv, -n, uh, -tiv], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predetermine¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + determine

Example Sentences

Also, solar arrays are positioned to collect power based upon this predetermined attitude.

From Ars Technica

In that case, the vine might be detecting scent compounds from the bush and changing the shape of its leaves in a way that was genetically predetermined.

From Nautilus

Conditions had escalated Saturday, prompting firefighters to stop working and retreat to predetermined safety zones, officials said.

From Washington Post

My one gripe was that I had to click around to predetermined points on the ground.

From Washington Post

The “other” category includes items some districts submitted separate from the predetermined categories.

From Voice of San Diego

The impulse given by each must be exactly estimated in order to predetermine the joint effect.

From Project Gutenberg

To conceive and desire the best is to attempt the ideal, is to predetermine the path that all succeeding generations shall tread.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet let no young woman predetermine that hers may not be an exception to the general law.

From Project Gutenberg

Robinson gives as its meaning, to set bounds before, to predetermine, spoken of the eternal decrees and counsels of God.

From Project Gutenberg

They then have a will and a way of their own; a free-will which their creator cannot predetermine and correct.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• predispose