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

Both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc destined for the Impression achieved superb phenolic ripeness, with the Cabernet Franc developing beautiful aromatic complexity without excessive herbal notes that can be a hallmark of the variety. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 14 June 2026

Ahead, naked dress six outfit formulas that are destined to turn heads. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 14 June 2026

At a time when Hacks’s final season seems all but destined to receive a farewell Emmy in this category, with rivals like The Bear, Abbott Elementary, and Only Murders in the Building feeling too familiar to truly rock the boat, could a comedy-horror hybrid be the thing that actually jolts the race? —Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026

However, now the two seem destined to clash again. —Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 13 June 2026

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