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

When critical decisions occur outside public view, victims who gather the courage to appear in court often feel their voices no longer matter when the result appears predetermined. —Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

Parents and City Council members argued families were brought into the conversation too late and that the outcome appeared predetermined. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Several others accused the state party of attempting to predetermine who advanced to the primary. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026

How everyone got to this point The original indictment, unsealed in November, detailed how Clase had allegedly colluded with bettors to predetermine at least nine pitches, dating to May 2023. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 7 Mar. 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