determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtər-mə-nənt 

1

: an element that identifies or determines the nature of something or that fixes or conditions an outcome

education level as a determinant of income

2

mathematics : a square array of numbers bordered on the left and right by a vertical line and having a value equal to the algebraic sum of all possible products where the number of factors in each product is the same as the number of rows or columns, each factor in a given product is taken from a different row and column, and the sign of a product is positive or negative depending upon whether the number of permutations necessary to place the indices representing each factor's position in its row or column in the order of the natural numbers is odd or even

3

genetics : gene

the determinant of the sickle-cell trait

4

biology : epitope

determinantal

di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnan-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of determinant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, political affiliation is the most significant determinant of this us-them division, research shows. —Joshua Coleman and Will Johnson, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024

Amid the numerical murk, though, there is a bottom line: The single most important determinant of a good education is a good teacher. —Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024

These social determinants of health are coupled with genetic or biological factors that drive disparities in cancer mortality, too. —Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 30 Nov. 2024

Look at teacher salaries Amid the numerical murkiness, though, is a bottom line, one articulated by multiple Broward and Palm Beach School Board candidates interviewed by the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board this year: The single most important determinant of a good education is a good teacher. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing determinant

• antigenic determinant

Kids Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

: something that determines or influences

Medical Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

1

a

: a hypothetical aggregate of biophores conceived as comparable to the gene of more recent biological theory

b

: gene

2

: epitope