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 son was destined for the priesthood

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

• 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

But, like the Mandala, the festival is also destined to dissolve. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Oct. 2025

However, Chelsea’s chances could be impacted by an injury crisis in defense, while Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez also look destined to miss out. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

Prince William and Crown Prince Hussein are both heirs to their country's thrones, meaning their wives are both destined to be queens one day. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

Though Lyra first sought answers through the Aurora Borealis, she is destined to discover the true nature of Dust in the deserts of Central Asia. —Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 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