destine

verb des·tine \ ˈdes-tən \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of destine

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

See destine defined for kids

Examples of destine in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of destine from the Web

Italy had scraped through the first round and employed dirty tactics to get the better of Argentina, while Brazil were simply magical and surely destined for glory.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 9 Weeks to Go - Remembering the Iconic 1982 Showdown Between Italy & Brazil," 20 Apr. 2018
This involves bombarding the web of fibres destined to become a wipe with jets of water.

— The Economist, "Build a better bog roll," 19 Apr. 2018
But the lack of lines at Kramerbooks doesn't mean the former FBI director's book is destined to be a flop.

— saba hamedy, CNN, "DC booksellers expected 'Fire and Fury' crowds for Comey book. Instead, they got mostly journalists," 17 Apr. 2018
The Mets have lost three of their last four, a stretch destined to raise even more fear from a hopeful but skeptical fan base.

— david waldstein, New York Times, "Nationals Send the Mets to (Gasp!) Their First Losing Streak," 17 Apr. 2018
This is a great use of cobs that have been cleaned of their kernels for other recipes and typically destined for the trash can or compost pile.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How to make corn stock," 13 Apr. 2018
Potatoes are genetically destined for smoked greatness, and Duna’s potato bread is barbecue brisket reincarnate.

— ali bouzari, San Francisco Chronicle, "Housemade: The silent science behind three signature dishes at Duna," 12 Apr. 2018
Given her size and athletic gifts, Stevens has long been destined for this.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Azura Stevens Says She Loved Her UConn Experience But Won't Delay WNBA Dream," 12 Apr. 2018
While destined for the Big Ten this fall, Richardson didn’t join the 4A Tigers expecting star treatment.

— rich torres, Indianapolis Star, "Fishers hopes transfer Grant Richardson can help secure another sectional victory," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of destine

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

destine Synonyms

Synonyms

doom, fate, foredoom, foreordain, ordain, predestine, predetermine, preordain;

Related Words

predestinate;

augur, forecast, foretell, predict, presage, prognosticate, prophesy;

preconceive, prejudge;

condemn, sentence;

bode, forebode (also forbode), portend;

anticipate, divine, foreknow, foresee;

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destine

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