destination

noun

des·​ti·​na·​tion ˌde-stə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce destination (audio)
1
: the purpose for which something is predetermined or destined
2
: an act of appointing, setting aside for a purpose, or predetermining
3
: a place to which one is journeying or to which something is sent
when the package has reached its destination
kept their destination secret
4
: a place worthy of travel or an extended visit
a popular tourist destination
often used attributively
a destination restaurant
a destination resort

Examples of destination in a Sentence

After stopping for lunch, we continued on toward our destination. The package reached its destination two days later. He enjoys traveling to remote and exotic destinations. We traveled through three states before reaching our final destination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add in a packed calendar of summer festivals, including the Taste of Syracuse and The Great New York State Fair, and Salt City makes a case as a year-round destination that balances tradition with fresh appeal. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025 Google has released its trends and tip data on holiday travel for 2025, sharing the best times to book flights and noting the most popular destinations. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025 What used to be a popular burger spot in this small North Carolina town has transformed into a go-to destination for real-deal Mexican street food called Tacos Oaxaca. Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025 The end result is a magnificent snapshot of deep space, created from particles of light that had travelled thousands of years to reach their destination. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for destination

Word History

Etymology

see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destination was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destination. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

destination

noun
des·​ti·​na·​tion ˌdes-tə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce destination (audio)
1
: the purpose for which something is destined
2
: an act of appointing, setting aside for a purpose, or deciding beforehand
3
: a place which is the goal of a journey or to which something is sent

More from Merriam-Webster on destination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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