destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən 

destined; destining

transitive verb

1

: to decree beforehand : predetermine

was not destined to attain the throne

2

a

: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance

believed their child was destined for high office

destined to succeed

a flaw that destines them to fail

b

: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place

freight destined for European ports

Synonyms of destine

• doom
• ordain
• fate

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

Toronto seems destined to add one of the big free-agent hitters. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025

Well, because one day she's destined to become the mother of humankind's salvation, and as far as The Terminator is concerned, that can't happen. —Grace Dean, Space.com, 20 Dec. 2025

In that span, the Chiefs went 4-16 in the playoffs, and you were left to wonder if they were cursed, jinxed or otherwise simply destined never to win — or even play in — another Super Bowl. —Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025

Although it wasn’t released until three months after his death, Bryant was likely aware of what a game-changer that series was destined to become. —Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for destine

• clandestine
• intestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

destine

verb

des·​tine ˈdes-tən 

destined; destining

1

: to settle in advance

a plan destined to fail

2

: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance

destined their child for the study of law

3

: to be bound or directed

a ship destined for New York