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
• fate
• foredoom
• foreordain
• ordain
• predestine
• predetermine
• preordain

Examples of destine in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Sculptural wheels and modern aero bits—the latter destined for carbon fiber, of course—round out the subtle but striking revisions, which Tellenbach repeatedly describes as an attempt to build a car as if Ferrari had 2024 production technology in the 1990s. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Michael Jackson Movie Will 'Shine a Different Light' on the 'Complicated' Star, Says Colman Domingo Is Sing Sing destined for awards season and is the Rustin star ready for another potential Oscar campaign? —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2024

Sportradar is evaluating potential acquisitions as the sports betting data and analytics market seems destined to consolidate into two competitors. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2024

Beyond the grand double doors lies a 12,000-square-foot warehouse teeming with workers devoted to the meticulous boxing of cannabis products, each destined for Gotham and around 130 other licensed emporiums Flowerhouse serves. —Jay Bulger, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2024

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

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