First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
determine
verb de·ter·mine \di-ˈtər-mən, dē-\
: to officially decide (something) especially because of evidence or facts : to establish (something) exactly or with authority
: to be the cause of or reason for (something)
: to learn or find out (something) by getting information
de·ter·minedde·ter·min·ing
Full Definition of DETERMINE
transitive verb
1
a : to fix conclusively or authoritatively <determine national policy> b : to decide by judicial sentence <determine a plea> c : to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities <trying to determine the best time to go> d : resolve <she determined to do better>
2
3
a : to fix the boundaries of b : to limit in extent or scope c : to put or set an end to : terminate <determine an estate>
4
: to find out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning, or calculation <determine the answer to the problem> <determine a position at sea>
5
: to bring about the determination of <determine the fate of a cell>
intransitive verb
1
: to come to a decision
2
: to come to an end or become void
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Origin of DETERMINE
Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit — more at term
Related to DETERMINE
Synonym Discussion of DETERMINE
decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy <she decided to sell her house>. determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something <determined the cause of the problem>. settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty <the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy>. rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority <the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible>. resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something <he resolved to quit smoking>.
discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know. discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter <discovered the source of the river>. ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty <attempts to ascertain the population of the region>. determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely <unable to determine the origin of the word>. unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden <unearth old records>. learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice <I learned her name only today> <learning Greek>.
discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know. discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter <discovered the source of the river>. ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty <attempts to ascertain the population of the region>. determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely <unable to determine the origin of the word>. unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden <unearth old records>. learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice <I learned her name only today> <learning Greek>.
Rhymes with DETERMINE
DETERMINE Defined for Kids
determine
verb de·ter·mine \di-ˈtər-mən\
de·ter·minedde·ter·min·ing
Definition of DETERMINE for Kids
1
: to come to a decision <They determined to leave immediately.>
2
: to learn or find out exactly <Police determined the cause of the accident.>
3
: to be the cause of or reason for <Demand determines the price of a product.>
4
: to fix exactly and with certainty <Yes, it was settled; his career was determined. — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer>
Word Root of DETERMINE
The Latin word terminus, meaning “boundary” or “limit,” gives us the root termin or term. Words from the Latin terminus have something to do with boundaries or limits. A term is a limited period of time during which something, such as school, occurs or exists. To determine is to set exact boundaries for something. To terminate, or cause to end, is to take to a boundary or limit.
Medical Dictionary
determine
transitive verb de·ter·mine \di-ˈtər-mən\
de·ter·minedde·ter·min·ing \-ˈtərm-(ə-)niŋ\
Medical Definition of DETERMINE
1
a : to obtain definite information about with regard to quantity, character, magnitude, or location <determine the ionic concentration> <determine the creatinine in blood serum> b : to discover the taxonomic position or the generic and specific names of
2
: to bring about the determination of <determine the fate of a cell>
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