predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprē-di-ˈtər-mən 
predetermined; predetermining; predetermines
1
a
b
: to determine beforehand
2
: to impose a direction or tendency on beforehand
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
Growing up in a house where both of her parents’ income was below the poverty line, Katherine’s success was far from predetermined, and her focus was split between her growth and caring for her siblings.
—
Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Researchers in Germany studying the social behaviors of honeybee colonies found that DNA can predetermine certain behaviors.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Such jobs generally have predetermined routes, while taxi and ambulance drivers must quickly determine new routes many times a day.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
The Valentine’s Day menu features a $129 predetermined four-course dinner.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
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Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Researchers in Germany studying the social behaviors of honeybee colonies found that DNA can predetermine certain behaviors.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Such jobs generally have predetermined routes, while taxi and ambulance drivers must quickly determine new routes many times a day.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
The Valentine’s Day menu features a $129 predetermined four-course dinner.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predetermine
Cite this Entry
“Predetermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predetermine. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predetermine
verb
pre·de·ter·mine
ˌprēd-i-ˈtər-mən
1
2
: to decide or settle beforehand
meet at a predetermined place
predetermination
noun
-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
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