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

Katie Garfield, who studies social determinants of health at Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, said the lack of federal guidance is stirring uncertainty for states that want to pursue nutrition programs in Medicaid. — Priyanka D McCluskey, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026

Vought responded to these setbacks by proposing new grant funding rules that would make political considerations key determinants in which grants get funded. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026

Many of the leaders my PR agency works with are accustomed to SEO being the most powerful determinant of their online fate. — Michelle Mekky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

In their perspective published Saturday in the New England Journal of Medicine, a veterinarian and an oncologist quickly point out the social determinants of health at play in this scenario. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 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