determinate
adjective
de·ter·mi·nate
di-ˈtər-mə-nət 
1
: having defined limits
a determinate period of time
2
: definitely settled
a determinate order of precedence
3
: conclusively determined : definitive
a determinate answer
4
botany
: characterized by sequential flowering from the central or uppermost bud to the lateral or basal (see basal sense 1b) buds
also
: characterized by growth in which the main stem ends in an inflorescence and stops growing with only branches from the main stem having further and similarly restricted growth
determinate tomato plants
compare indeterminate sense 4
5
biology
: relating to, being, or undergoing egg cleavage (see cleavage sense 3) in which each division irreversibly separates portions of the zygote with specific potencies for further development
determinately
adverb
determinateness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of determinate in a Sentence
a determinate period of time
a determinate order of succession to the throne
Recent Examples on the Web
Perez was serving a determinate term for assault with a firearm and gang activity, authorities said.
—
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2024
Tomato plants are either determinate or indeterminate.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2024
The pruning time for determinate tomatoes is simply shorter than indeterminate varieties that produce new leaves and fruit for several months.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023
For Preciado, the novel and its central character exemplify a crucial idea—that Orlando isn’t a man who becomes a woman, but, rather, a person whose very identity is transition itself, who is a living challenge to the notion of determinate gender.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023
All fruit on a determinate tomato plant ripens within about 4 to 6 weeks.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023
Use a determinate or semi-determinate variety such as Tycoon, Red Snapper, Celebrity, HM 8849, BHN 968, Ruby Crush, Phoenix or Valley Cat.
—Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 9 July 2020
Consider stacking two ladders for smaller determinate tomatoes, or stack three for large, indeterminate tomato varieties, which like to scramble up to great heights.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
Some types of tomatoes—determinate varieties—have more bushy growth, while indeterminate varieties can grow much taller and need either tall cages or a trellis system.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
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.
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2024
Tomato plants are either determinate or indeterminate.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2024
The pruning time for determinate tomatoes is simply shorter than indeterminate varieties that produce new leaves and fruit for several months.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023
For Preciado, the novel and its central character exemplify a crucial idea—that Orlando isn’t a man who becomes a woman, but, rather, a person whose very identity is transition itself, who is a living challenge to the notion of determinate gender.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023
All fruit on a determinate tomato plant ripens within about 4 to 6 weeks.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023
Use a determinate or semi-determinate variety such as Tycoon, Red Snapper, Celebrity, HM 8849, BHN 968, Ruby Crush, Phoenix or Valley Cat.
—Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 9 July 2020
Consider stacking two ladders for smaller determinate tomatoes, or stack three for large, indeterminate tomato varieties, which like to scramble up to great heights.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
Some types of tomatoes—determinate varieties—have more bushy growth, while indeterminate varieties can grow much taller and need either tall cages or a trellis system.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near determinate
Cite this Entry
“Determinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
determinate
adjective
de·ter·mi·nate
di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət
1
: having fixed limits : definite
a determinate period of time
2
: definitely settled
arranged in a determinate order
determinately
adverb
determinateness
noun
Medical Definition
determinate
adjective
de·ter·mi·nate
di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət
: relating to, being, or undergoing determinate cleavage
a determinate egg
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share