predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən 
predetermined; predetermining; predetermines
1
a
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
Unlike most competitions in spring, the outcome of this one wasn’t predetermined.
—
Tim Britton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
To the courts The first case, held at California’s Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), centered on whether during the 2021-2022 school year the school district predetermined placement at SDCC.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
In an old but often-cited Danish study on twins, researchers found that about 25 percent of longevity was heritable—in other words, predetermined by your genes.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Feb. 2025
The biggest danger with symbolic, psychological thrillers like this is making characters feel too much like pieces on a chessboard, their moves predetermined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
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.
Tim Britton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
To the courts The first case, held at California’s Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), centered on whether during the 2021-2022 school year the school district predetermined placement at SDCC.
—Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
In an old but often-cited Danish study on twins, researchers found that about 25 percent of longevity was heritable—in other words, predetermined by your genes.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Feb. 2025
The biggest danger with symbolic, psychological thrillers like this is making characters feel too much like pieces on a chessboard, their moves predetermined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
Cite this Entry
“Predetermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predetermine. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən
1
2
: to decide or settle beforehand
meet at a predetermined place
predetermination
noun
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share