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.
But it is destined—at least for now—to remain a partial discovery. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 June 2026 Rockets also ceased to be viewed as enormously expensive expendable vehicles destined either to smash into the ocean or remain abandoned in orbit forever. David Szondy may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026 Surely, being a prophet destined to die on the cross would be a painful vocation, and the film refuses to look away from this pain. Isaac Butler, New Yorker, 30 May 2026 Legend says that tourists who grind their heels on the bull's testicles and spin in place three times are guaranteed good fortune and are destined to return to the city. Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 29 May 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 4 Jun. 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
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