destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən 

destined; destining

transitive verb

1

: to decree beforehand : predetermine

was not destined to attain the throne

2

a

: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance

believed their son was destined for the priesthood

destined to succeed

a flaw that destines them to fail

b

: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place

freight destined for European ports

Synonyms

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

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

Bridal tiaras may be less popular than in decades past, but the new guard of regal toppers is designed (and destined) to command attention. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025

Things seem destined to grow worse across a wide swath of Los Angeles and its besieged neighbors. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

He was destined to be the next Jim Kelly, not John Elway. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2025

Priced at $32, Roz Evergreen Style Cream is destined to be a new cult-favorite beauty product in 2025. —Ashley Davis, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

destine

verb

des·​tine ˈdes-tən 

destined; destining

1

: to settle in advance

a plan destined to fail

2

: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance

destined their child for the study of law

3

: to be bound or directed

a ship destined for New York