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determine

verb
de·​ter·​mine | \ di-ˈtÉ™r-mÉ™n How to pronounce determine (audio) , dÄ“-\
determined; determining

Definition of determine

transitive verb

1a : to fix conclusively or authoritatively determine national policy
b law : to decide by judicial sentence determine a plea
c : to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities trying to determine the best time to go
d : resolve she determined to do better
2a : to fix the form, position, or character of beforehand : ordain two points determine a straight line the extent to which genetics determines one's personality
b : to bring about as a result : regulate demand determines the price
3a : to fix the boundaries of
b : to limit in extent or scope
c : to put or set an end to : terminate determine an estate
4 : to find out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning, or calculation determine the answer to the problem determine a position at sea
5 biology : to bring about the determination (see determination sense 7) of determine the fate of a cell

intransitive verb

1 : to come to a decision had determined on becoming a doctor
2 : to come to an end or become void
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about determine

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Choose the Right Synonym for determine

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. she decided to sell her house determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. determined the cause of the problem settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. he resolved to quit smoking

discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know. discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter. discovered the source of the river ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty. attempts to ascertain the population of the region determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely. unable to determine the origin of the word unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden. unearth old records learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice. I learned her name only today learning Greek

Examples of determine in a Sentence

The new policy will be determined by a special committee. The demand for a product determines its price. He believes that one's personality is determined mostly by genetics. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. They are unable to accurately determine the ship's position at this time. Scholars have determined that the book was written in the late 16th century. I am trying to determine what happened and when. They are determining if they should stay. They determined to leave immediately.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Investigators haven’t yet determined the fire’s cause. — USA Today, "What we know about California's dive boat tragedy," 4 Sep. 2019 Investigators have not yet determined how the fire erupted. — Stefanie Dazio, Anchorage Daily News, "34 presumed dead in dive boat fire off California, officials say," 3 Sep. 2019 Investigators have not yet determined how the fire erupted. — Time, "Search for Survivors on California Diving Boat Called Off as 34 People Presumed Dead," 3 Sep. 2019 Investigators have not yet determined a cause for the fire. — Stefanie Dazio, Twin Cities, "Coast Guard: 25 bodies found after California boat fire," 3 Sep. 2019 Investigators have not yet determined a cause for the fire. — Stefanie Dazio, BostonGlobe.com, "At least 25 people dead after deadly Calif. boat fire," 3 Sep. 2019 Investigators have not yet determined how the fire erupted. — CBS News, "Coast Guard suspends search efforts for victims of California boat fire," 3 Sep. 2019 But the cause and manner of death had not been determined. — USA TODAY, "Space dummy, Bigfoot denial, pumped-up pumpkin: News from around our 50 states," 2 Sep. 2019 Blue’s status for the Sept. 8 opener against Kansas City has not been determined because of an ankle injury. — John Reid, orlandosentinel.com, "Jaguars release 29, place receiver Terrelle Pryor on reserve/injured list," 1 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'determine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of determine

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for determine

Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit — more at term entry 1

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More Definitions for determine

determine

verb
How to pronounce determine (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of determine

: to officially decide (something) especially because of evidence or facts : to establish (something) exactly or with authority
: to be the cause of or reason for (something)
: to learn or find out (something) by getting information

See the full definition for determine in the English Language Learners Dictionary

determine

verb
de·​ter·​mine | \ di-ˈtÉ™r-mÉ™n How to pronounce determine (audio) \
determined; determining

Kids Definition of determine

1 : to come to a decision

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