determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtər-mə-nənt How to pronounce determinant (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of determinant in a Sentence

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.
Yet, in the rush to assemble their optimal AI toolkits—building tech stacks, developing use cases, allocating resources—few companies seem to appreciate one key determinant of success. Jodi Euerle Eddy, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Commonly measured as the amount of goods and services generated per worker, productivity is the central determinant of a nation’s average standard of living and its overall economic success. Matthew J. Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 Research has shown that the social determinants of health – the opportunities and resources that affect how people live, learn, play, work and age – play a significant role in LGBTQ+ well-being. Nathaniel M. Tran, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2025 Kraft emphasizes the potential of integrating genomics, microbiome analysis, metabolomics, and social determinants of health into comprehensive health profiles. John Werner, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for determinant

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of determinant was in 1686

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Determinant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinant. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

determinant

noun
de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt How to pronounce determinant (audio)
: something that determines or influences

Medical Definition

determinant

noun
de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt How to pronounce determinant (audio)
1
a
: a hypothetical aggregate of biophores conceived as comparable to the gene of more recent biological theory
b
: gene
2
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