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determiner

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noun de·ter·min·er \ -ˈtər-mə-nər \

Definition of determiner

:one that determines: such as
a :gene
b :a word (such as an article, possessive, demonstrative, or quantifier) that makes specific the denotation of a noun phrase

See determiner defined for English-language learners

See determiner defined for kids

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Recent Examples of determiner from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'determiner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of determiner

circa 1530

DETERMINER Defined for English Language Learners

determiner

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noun

Definition of determiner for English Language Learners

  • grammar : a word (such as “a,” “the,” “some,” “any,” “my,” or “your”) that comes before a noun and is used to show which thing is being referred to

DETERMINER Defined for Kids

determiner

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noun de·ter·min·er \ di-ˈtər-mə-nər \

Definition of determiner for Students

:a word belonging to a group of noun modifiers that can occur before descriptive adjectives modifying the same noun
  • “The” in “the red house” is a determiner.

Medical Dictionary

determiner

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noun de·ter·min·er \ -ˈtərm-(ə-)nər \

medical Definition of determiner

:gene

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determiner

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