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 outcome feels predetermined. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Pricing is predetermined by TaskEasy using public property details and the consumer’s description of the job that needs to be done. —Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

But all of these interactions were quickly imbued with a set, predetermined meaning. —Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

And in an outcome that felt predetermined, Jasmine won the final despite coming in third in the technical, a madeleine-tower challenge. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

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