predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce predetermine (audio)
predetermined; predetermining; predetermines

transitive verb

1
b
: to determine beforehand
2
: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Their close examination of mouse brains after learning revealed that an engram’s ability to store memory may be predetermined by how DNA is packaged within neurons. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Clearly, this was not just a story, because the current rumor mill is saying that John Mulaney will be making more Everybody’s in L.A. but will not complete his destiny of hosting the 2025 Oscars, which seemed honestly predetermined. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 July 2024 Looking back, my fall from grace was almost predetermined. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024 Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Choosing Their Own Career Path Increases Engagement Most organizations have predetermined career paths for employees in alignment with their department’s goals. Kate Wieczorek, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predetermine 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of predetermine was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near predetermine

Cite this Entry

“Predetermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predetermine. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

predetermine

verb
pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce predetermine (audio)
1
2
: to decide or settle beforehand
meet at a predetermined place
predetermination
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on predetermine

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!