preordain

verb

pre·​or·​dain ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce preordain (audio)
preordained; preordaining; preordains

transitive verb

: to decree or ordain in advance : foreordain
preordainment noun

Examples of preordain in a Sentence

my wife and I are such soulmates, I'm convinced that our marriage was preordained
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No team in history has won between 38 and 40 games for four straight seasons, yet for the Bulls, this feels almost preordained. John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The first thing to emphasize is that nothing is preordained about market cycles — this one may well never get as wild, lucrative and dangerous as the one 25+ years ago. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025 But although the months between September 2024 and August 2025 may have been light on the kind of superstar releases that seem preordained for Grammy sweeps, plenty of other contenders have emerged — and in such circumstances, obvious choices are in short supply. Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Our climate is not preordained to remain hospitable forever. Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preordain

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preordain was in 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Preordain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preordain. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

preordain

verb
pre·​or·​dain ˌprē-ȯr-ˈdān How to pronounce preordain (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on preordain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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