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

With the early ticket-selling pace that Summit FC is on for its inaugural home match, that mark appears destined to fall. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2025

It feels destined to be a losing battle. —Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025

Turns out, Grande just might be destined to be a blonde forever. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

In March 2025 he was convicted of a new fraud scheme defrauding investors of about $35 million involving medical supplies, baby formula and first-aid kits purportedly destined for Ukraine. —Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 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