predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən 

predetermined; predetermining; predetermines

transitive verb

1

a

: foreordain, predestine

b

: to determine beforehand

2

: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand

Synonyms

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

Examples of predetermine in a Sentence

The sex of the child is predetermined when the egg is fertilized.

religious sects that believe that an individual's salvation has been predetermined by God

Recent Examples on the Web

Prescribed processes and predetermined outcomes, rinsed and repeated, with no space for anyone to think, feel or behave differently. —Lauren Coulman, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Those tournaments in Los Angeles will be spectacular and far from predetermined. —Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 23 Aug. 2024

Exact sizes and shapes of elements are predetermined, and holes can even be pre-drilled for attachment points. —Kurt Kleiner, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2024

The complaint, filed in a federal court in Austin, alleges that Musk falsely claimed the PAC would choose sweepstakes winners randomly when the selections were, in fact, predetermined. —Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin praedeterminare, from Latin prae- + determinare to determine

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən 

1

: predestine

2

: to decide or settle beforehand

meet at a predetermined place

predetermination

-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən

noun