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

Claude is destined to imitate these human traits and mirror the human examples provided to it, including acting like a colleague or friend. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Pairing visual reminders of the building’s 20th-century past with modern hospitality flourishes, Eagle Bank Club seems destined to create a significant buzz. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2026

Some may remember the surveys in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election when Hilary Clinton was destined to be the nation’s first female president. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

The tables are mostly waiting zones for people ordering takeout, destined for a lunch in Gas Works Park, the nearby brewery taprooms, or just back to the surrounding tech offices. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 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