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

Those are dramatically low numbers that seem destined to rebound back toward 10 percent next season. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

Now Sawe has crossed the line Kiptum seemed destined to break. —Emmanuel Igunza, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026

Summit defender Carson Pickett steered in an own goal in the 65th minute while trying to clear a pass destined for a back-post tap-in. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

At a time when we’re seemingly destined for more economic turmoil from federal policy decisions, the last thing our state needs is for our constituents to go without for no good reason. —Sen. Saud Anwar, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 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