destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən 

destined; destining

transitive verb

1

: to decree beforehand : predetermine

was not destined to attain the throne

2

a

: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance

believed their son was destined for the priesthood

destined to succeed

a flaw that destines them to fail

b

: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place

freight destined for European ports

Synonyms

• doom
• fate
• foredoom
• foreordain
• ordain
• predestine
• predetermine
• preordain

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo : Mercedes Its Chassis Is Braced and Its Suspension Is Adjustable Cars destined to spend their lives on the street don’t need adjustable suspension setups, let alone suspenders that require tools to tweak. —Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2025

Next is Atlético in the capital, a much stiffer assignment than a home match against a team destined for relegation. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

But some forecasts are just destined to pass — perhaps like this campaign for Nebraska — with a whimper and darkness at the end. —Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

Former police officer Tim Jamieson is looking to start a new life, but his story is destined to collide with Luke’s. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for destine

• clandestine
• intestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

destine

verb

des·​tine ˈdes-tən 

destined; destining

1

: to settle in advance

a plan destined to fail

2

: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance

destined their child for the study of law

3

: to be bound or directed

a ship destined for New York