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
• 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

And, naturally, all of that means its hotels are destined to be intimate and comfy, too. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

The company now makes about 1,000 flags per day, with many destined for military funerals, government buildings and patriotic front porches nationwide. —Olivianna Calmes, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025

Between January and March 2022, the group stole 240 firearms from pallets destined for armories throughout the country. —Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 1 July 2025

With the blue brand boasting a relatively thin midcard, Fatu seemed destined to hold US title for an extended run after his victory at WWE Night of Champions. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

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