determine

UK: /dɪˈtɜː^rmɪn/ US: /dɪˈtɝmɪn/ ,(di tûr′min)

Inflections of 'determine' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

determines

v 3rd person singular

determining

v pres p

determined

v past

determined

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•ter•mine /dɪˈtɜrmɪn/   v., -mined, -min•ing. 

1. to settle, resolve, or decide (a dispute, etc.): [~ + object]
   The date of the election has yet to be determined.
   [~ + to + verb]
   They determined to leave the school at once.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   They determined that they would travel to Texas this summer.
2. to conclude or figure out, such as after thinking over, or observing:
   [~ + object] I tried to determine the reasons for her actions.
3. to cause, affect, or control:
   [~ + object] Demand usually determines supply.

de•ter•mi•na•ble, adj. 
Related Words

determine is a verb, determined is an adjective, determination is a noun:
Scientists were able to determine the curvature of space. He is determined to succeed. She has a lot of determination to succeed.
See -term-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•ter•mine  (di tûr′min), v., -mined, -min•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.
2. to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.
3. Mathematics [Geom.] to fix the position of.
4. to cause, affect, or control;
   fix or decide causally:
   Demand for a product usually determines supply.
5. to give direction or tendency to;
   impel.
6. Philosophy [Logic.] to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.
7. Law [Chiefly Law.] to put an end to;
   terminate.
8. to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.
9. to decide upon.

v.i. 

10. to come to a decision or resolution;
    decide.
11. Law [Chiefly Law.] to come to an end.

• Latin dētermināre, equivalent. to dē- de- + termināre to bound, limit; see terminate
• Anglo-French, Old French determiner
• Middle English determinen 1325–75

Synonyms

• 1. resolve, adjust. See decide. 
• 2. verify.
• 4. influence.
• 5. induce, lead, incline.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

determine / dɪˈtɜːmɪn/ verb

1. to settle or decide (an argument, question, etc) conclusively, as by referring to an authority
2. (transitive) to ascertain or conclude, esp after observation or consideration
3. (transitive) to shape or influence; give direction to
4. (transitive) to fix in scope, extent, variety, etc: the river determined the edge of the property
5. to make or cause to make a decision: he determined never to marry
6. (transitive) to define or limit (a notion) by adding or requiring certain features or characteristics
7. (transitive) to fix or specify the position, form, or configuration of
8. to come or bring to an end, as an estate or interest in land

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French determiner, from Latin dētermināre to set boundaries to, from de- + termināre to limit; see terminate