determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtər-mə-nənt 

1

: an element that identifies or determines the nature of something or that fixes or conditions an outcome

education level as a determinant of income

2

mathematics : a square array of numbers bordered on the left and right by a vertical line and having a value equal to the algebraic sum of all possible products where the number of factors in each product is the same as the number of rows or columns, each factor in a given product is taken from a different row and column, and the sign of a product is positive or negative depending upon whether the number of permutations necessary to place the indices representing each factor's position in its row or column in the order of the natural numbers is odd or even

3

genetics : gene

the determinant of the sickle-cell trait

4

biology : epitope

determinantal

di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnan-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of determinant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The World Health Organization recognizes that individual, social and structural determinants shape mental health and that promotion and prevention efforts need to address those determinants. — Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

But the costs of the race will also be destiny determinants, as investors question the massive sums of capital being deployed and the timeline for seeing a return on the investment. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 27 July 2026

That said, how a hitter does with the stick is the main determinant of their value, and the most sustainable part of their performance. — Owen Poindexter, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Because even if Anthropic wanted to play that role, being both the provider of a hackable service and the blocking of cyberterrorists, the insurance companies, the determinants of who gets coverage, would never allow it. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing determinant

• antigenic determinant

Rhymes for determinant

• impermanent
• permanent
• semipermanent

Kids Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

: something that determines or influences

Medical Definition

determinant

noun

de·​ter·​mi·​nant di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt 

1

a

: a hypothetical aggregate of biophores conceived as comparable to the gene of more recent biological theory

b

: gene

2

: epitope