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

• 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

Critics pointed to a lack of qualifications for the new committee members, with more than half never having published research on vaccinations and many having predetermined hostility toward vaccines. —Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025

The supply is capped at twenty-one million coins, with issuance predetermined by code. —Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that Noem’s decisions are unlawful because they were predetermined by President Donald Trump’s campaign promises and motivated by racial animus. —Janie Har, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

And while one more game was still to play in the Super Bowl, the beating of the 49ers on their home turf shines brighter when the ensuing 52-17 result against the Buffalo Bills was all but predetermined. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 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