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

Various harsh and challenging Antarctic environments have served as testing sites for equipment destined for the Moon, Mars and beyond. — Daniella McCahey, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Private investigators believe the vehicles were destined for the Sinaloa Cartel. — Steve Fisher special Correspondent follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

His younger brother Princewill Umanmielen currently leads college football in sacks at LSU, with eight and seems destined to join Princely in the NFL one day. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Some survive because treatment works, not because the cancer was detected earlier; others survive because they were overdiagnosed (diagnosed with a cancer not destined to cause symptoms or death). — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 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