destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən How to pronounce destine (audio)
destined; destining
Synonyms of destinenext

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

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball
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.
More than 4,300 agreements were cut at the Department of Health and Human Services, including money destined for decades-long medical studies and cancer research. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026 Simpson was twice divorced, and Edward, the heir to the throne, was destined to be ceremonial head of the Church of England, which did not allow divorced people to remarry in church. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 The Buttercream hue paints every item in the collection, and is destined to bring a smile to your face. Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026 The exhibit blends artifacts destined for the permanent hall with a walk through Shawn Edwards’ 25-year career as a film critic. Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destine

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

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

Cite this Entry

“Destine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destine. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

destine

verb
des·​tine ˈdes-tən How to pronounce destine (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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