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

To be sure, some of those players were late bloomers and Acuff having a better freshman season than Gilgeous-Alexander did at Kentucky in 2018 doesn’t mean Acuff is destined to become an MVP. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026

The Cavaliers, who are destined for the postseason, dropped to 41-27. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

Ritter is destined to be tested by events and his colleagues in the seven weeks left before the General Assembly adjourns on May 6. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026

Frontman Caleb Harper explained the song was left off the album but always destined to surface. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Mar. 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