preordain

verb

pre·​or·​dain ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce preordain (audio)
preordained; preordaining; preordains

transitive verb

: to decree or ordain in advance : foreordain
preordainment noun

Examples of preordain in a Sentence

my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained
Recent Examples on the Web His essay makes clear that social progress isn’t guaranteed or preordained, and certainly not linear. Indigo Olivier, The New Republic, 19 June 2023 Her future, and those of her siblings, almost seemed preordained. USA TODAY, 16 May 2023 If the result of the vote is preordained, no matter. David L. Coddoncontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2023 The Wonder Years Looking back, Sepinwall’s life as a scholar, teacher and activist seems preordained. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023 While each iteration of the modern-day fine has roots in ancient Latin, etymology reveals its multitudinous fate was preordained, having been born of not one but two independent terms: finire and finis. Joseph Lezza, Longreads, 30 Mar. 2023 When Macy and Jillian would take the court in their backyard, the outcome was pretty much preordained and Macy rarely came out on top. Mick McCabe, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2023 The greatest Artists of all time seem to have emerged fully formed from the ether of musical legend as if their success had been simply undeniable and preordained. Ted Brown, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2023 Even though much of the plot feels preordained, convincing performances keep things interesting and somewhat unpredictable. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preordain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preordain was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near preordain

Cite this Entry

“Preordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preordain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

preordain

verb
pre·​or·​dain ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce preordain (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on preordain

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