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
Examples of determinant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The central bank’s policies are a main determinant of inflation, but fiscal policy also affects inflation.
—
Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Because social determinants account for 80% of our health, incorporating them as a healing modality just makes sense.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
These disparities, often rooted in the social determinants of health (SDoH)—the conditions in which people live, learn, work and play—impact access to care, health outcomes and overall well-being.
—Dr. Sreeram Mullankandy, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The strongest determinant of support, according to Wheeler’s survey work, was that the National Park Service makes all that clear.
—Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for determinant
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Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Because social determinants account for 80% of our health, incorporating them as a healing modality just makes sense.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
These disparities, often rooted in the social determinants of health (SDoH)—the conditions in which people live, learn, work and play—impact access to care, health outcomes and overall well-being.
—Dr. Sreeram Mullankandy, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The strongest determinant of support, according to Wheeler’s survey work, was that the National Park Service makes all that clear.
—Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for determinant
Cite this Entry
“Determinant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinant. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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