predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən 

predetermined; predetermining; predetermines

transitive verb

1

a

: foreordain, predestine

b

: to determine beforehand

2

: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand

Synonyms of predetermine

• destine
• ordain
• doom

Examples of predetermine in a Sentence

The sex of the child is predetermined when the egg is fertilized.

religious sects that believe that an individual's salvation has been predetermined by God

Recent Examples on the Web

The path for Andersson isn’t predetermined; there is a range of outcomes for how his next deal could age. —Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Today’s gerrymandering wars are nothing other than an attempt by both parties to predetermine the outcome of elections. —Frederic J. Fransen, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

In a tent along Oak Street, predetermined, non-color designs can be selected and tattooed by local artists. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

Leaders Still Shape The Outcome What gets lost in the noise of quarterly earnings calls and model upgrades is that the outcome of this transition is not predetermined. —Martin Whittaker, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin praedeterminare, from Latin prae- + determinare to determine

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for predetermine

• redetermine
• birman
• burman
• ermine
• firman
• german
• kirman
• sermon
• spermine
• termen
• termine
• vermin

Kids Definition

predetermine

verb

pre·​de·​ter·​mine ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən 

1

: predestine

2

: to decide or settle beforehand

meet at a predetermined place

predetermination

-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən

noun