predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce predetermine (audio)
predetermined; predetermining; predetermines

transitive verb

1
b
: to determine beforehand
2
: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand

Examples of predetermine in a Sentence

The sex of the child is predetermined when the egg is fertilized. religious sects that believe that an individual's salvation has been predetermined by God
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.
But much of the timeline is predetermined; the pope’s death includes nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025 But much of the timeline is predetermined; the pope’s death triggered the start of nine days of mourning known as the Novendiales, and the pope must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after death. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025 Growing up in a house where both of her parents’ income was below the poverty line, Katherine’s success was far from predetermined, and her focus was split between her growth and caring for her siblings. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Researchers in Germany studying the social behaviors of honeybee colonies found that DNA can predetermine certain behaviors. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predetermine

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin praedeterminare, from Latin prae- + determinare to determine

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of predetermine was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predetermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predetermine. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

predetermine

verb
pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən How to pronounce predetermine (audio)
1
2
: to decide or settle beforehand
meet at a predetermined place
predetermination
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on predetermine

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