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

Long before the clock almost expired on the Packers, there was yet another special teams blunder that turned the tide on a game seemingly destined for a blowout. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

The web was broadly seen as a force for justice, destined to uplift the world. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Bob Landon didn't seem destined to become a Texas winemaker. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025

The country is also the leading global exporter of tractor trucks, 95% of which are destined for the United States. —Reuters, USA Today, 26 Sep. 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