destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən How to pronounce destine (audio)
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

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year, Grande fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking on the role of Galinda — the perma-cheerful mean girl who turns out to have a heart of gold, and is destined to become Glinda the Good Witch. Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024 Wine Confident is equal parts guide and inspiration, destined to become a modern classic for anyone looking to embrace the joys of wine with curiosity and confidence. Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 In the final year of his contract and set to break the bank in free agency as the top WR on the market, 25-year-old Higgins has seemed destined to depart the team that selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Clemson. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 Donald Trump’s second presidency seems destined to focus more attention on Latin America than any U.S. administration in perhaps 30 years, including the incoming president’s first term. Brian Winter, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for destine 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of destine was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near destine

Cite this Entry

“Destine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destine. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

destine

verb
des·​tine ˈdes-tən How to pronounce destine (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on destine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!