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 organization offers a Nurse Family Partnership Program, which consists of weekly home visits from a nurse, and the Guided Journey Program, which focuses on the social determinants of health.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Not surprisingly, in their study of congressional variation in pronunciation of Iraq, these researchers found that, beyond party affiliation, the politician’s war stance – for or against sending additional troops – was a significant determinant of which vowel was used.
—Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Crude oil prices, a determinant of jet fuel costs, slumped 10%.
—Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Co-occurring mental health concerns often drive substance use, and social determinants such as housing stability, employment, access to care, and systemic inequities strongly shape outcomes.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for determinant
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Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Not surprisingly, in their study of congressional variation in pronunciation of Iraq, these researchers found that, beyond party affiliation, the politician’s war stance – for or against sending additional troops – was a significant determinant of which vowel was used.
—Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Crude oil prices, a determinant of jet fuel costs, slumped 10%.
—Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
Co-occurring mental health concerns often drive substance use, and social determinants such as housing stability, employment, access to care, and systemic inequities strongly shape outcomes.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for determinant
Cite this Entry
“Determinant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinant. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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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