determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtər-mə-nənt 

1

: an element that identifies or determines the nature of something or that fixes or conditions an outcome

education level as a determinant of income

2

mathematics : a square array of numbers bordered on the left and right by a vertical line and having a value equal to the algebraic sum of all possible products where the number of factors in each product is the same as the number of rows or columns, each factor in a given product is taken from a different row and column, and the sign of a product is positive or negative depending upon whether the number of permutations necessary to place the indices representing each factor's position in its row or column in the order of the natural numbers is odd or even

3

genetics : gene

the determinant of the sickle-cell trait

4

biology : epitope

determinantal

di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnan-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of determinant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, the guidelines call out a variety of social determinants of health that can impact stroke risk. —Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Oct. 2024

This river has a storied past and was a key determinant of architectural marvels of the Mughal empire, including the Shalimar Gardens, which are a World Heritage Site. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

From this point forward, companies’ deployment of the evolving tech will be a determinant for success not just during the busy seasons, but for years to come. —Gary Drenik, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Several factors affect period pain, including medical conditions, age, lifestyle, and socioeconomic determinants of health. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing determinant

• antigenic determinant

Kids Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

: something that determines or influences

Medical Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

1

a

: a hypothetical aggregate of biophores conceived as comparable to the gene of more recent biological theory

b

: gene

2

: epitope