destination

noun

des·​ti·​na·​tion ˌde-stə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce destination (audio)
1
: the purpose for which something is predetermined or destined
2
: an act of appointing, setting aside for a purpose, or predetermining
3
: a place to which one is journeying or to which something is sent
when the package has reached its destination
kept their destination secret
4
: a place worthy of travel or an extended visit
a popular tourist destination
often used attributively
a destination restaurant
a destination resort

Examples of destination in a Sentence

After stopping for lunch, we continued on toward our destination. The package reached its destination two days later. He enjoys traveling to remote and exotic destinations. We traveled through three states before reaching our final destination.
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.
Saugatuck is popular west Michigan town This city along the Lake Michigan coast in southwest Michigan is a top summer tourist destination, with attractions including a quaint downtown, lakefront sandy beaches and an array of art galleries and installations. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 July 2025 Known as the American Alps, the Cascades is a popular tourist destination and offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts like hiking and camping. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 7 July 2025 Many travelers stopped along the way to rest and resupply for lengthy periods of time, sometimes taking years to reach their final destinations. James Dodson july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025 Flight delays can compound later in the day due to planes not reaching their destinations on time earlier, which is often the case when there is widespread bad weather, with summertime being particularly notorious for the formation of thunderstorms that can disrupt air travel. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for destination

Word History

Etymology

see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destination was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destination. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

destination

noun
des·​ti·​na·​tion ˌdes-tə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce destination (audio)
1
: the purpose for which something is destined
2
: an act of appointing, setting aside for a purpose, or deciding beforehand
3
: a place which is the goal of a journey or to which something is sent

More from Merriam-Webster on destination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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