meant to (be/do something)
idiom
1
: intended to (do or be something)
I was never meant to teach.
They knew as soon as they met that they were meant to be together.
I thought we could be friends, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
2
British
: supposed to (be or do something)
The buses are meant to arrive every 15 minutes.
Brighton is meant to be very beautiful at this time of year.
Examples of meant to (be/do something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These categories were meant to recognize different aspects of excellence in filmmaking.
—
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Dellinger’s firing came as Trump administration employees have touted their support on social media for the president’s policies even though the Hatch Act is meant to restrict political advocacy while on duty.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
These services are meant to provide tenants with the opportunity to grow their credit history through on-time rent payments.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025
The tube was like a massive straw that was meant to transport hot water and steam from an artificial underground reservoir—without contaminating local groundwater or triggering earthquakes.
—Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meant to (be/do something)
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Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Dellinger’s firing came as Trump administration employees have touted their support on social media for the president’s policies even though the Hatch Act is meant to restrict political advocacy while on duty.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
These services are meant to provide tenants with the opportunity to grow their credit history through on-time rent payments.
—Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025
The tube was like a massive straw that was meant to transport hot water and steam from an artificial underground reservoir—without contaminating local groundwater or triggering earthquakes.
—Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meant to (be/do something)
Cite this Entry
“Meant to (be/do something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meant%20to%20%28be%2Fdo%20something%29. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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