determine
verb
de·ter·mine di-ˈtər-mən 
dē-
determined; determining
transitive verb
1
a
: to fix conclusively or authoritatively
determine national policy
b
law : to decide by judicial sentence
determine a plea
c
: to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities
trying to determine the best time to go
d
: resolve
she determined to do better
2
a
: to fix the form, position, or character of beforehand : ordain
two points determine a straight line
the extent to which genetics determines one's personality
b
: to bring about as a result : regulate
demand determines the price
3
a
: to fix the boundaries of
b
: to limit in extent or scope
c
: to put or set an end to : terminate
determine an estate
4
: to find out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning, or calculation
determine the answer to the problem
determine a position at sea
5
biology : to bring about the determination (see determination sense 7) of
determine the fate of a cell
intransitive verb
1
: to come to a decision
had determined on becoming a doctor
2
: to come to an end or become void
Synonyms
- adjudge
- adjudicate
- arbitrate
- decide
- judge
- referee
- rule (on)
- settle
- umpire
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The new policy will be determined by a special committee. The demand for a product determines its price. He believes that one's personality is determined mostly by genetics. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. They are unable to accurately determine the ship's position at this time. Scholars have determined that the book was written in the late 16th century. I am trying to determine what happened and when. They are determining if they should stay. They determined to leave immediately. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Judge Hughey questioned if too much time had passed to determine whether Hart had rightful claim to represent the Theta Alpha Zeta House Corp. 
al, 16 Sep. 2022 Anne Heche's son Homer Laffoon and ex James Tupper are in court to determine who has control over the late actress's estate. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 The city hired investigators from the Emergency Care Research Institute, a private, nonprofit firm that specializes in medical device evaluations, to help the fire department determine the cause of the fire. Fox News, 15 Sep. 2022 The project was put on hold due to the pandemic, and the new 8K footage may also help the company determine if this plan is still feasible two years later. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Online configurators can help customers determine the exact specification of a product. Denis Clifford, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Tomlin said participation in practice this week will determine Johnson's availability. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2022 The Archives found highly classified documents in the trove and referred the matter to the Justice Department, which began a probe to determine if Trump had more such materials in his possession. Erik Larson, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 The race in New Hampshire is one of a handful across the country that may determine if the Republicans win back the Senate majority in November’s midterm elections. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 See More
al, 16 Sep. 2022 Anne Heche's son Homer Laffoon and ex James Tupper are in court to determine who has control over the late actress's estate. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 The city hired investigators from the Emergency Care Research Institute, a private, nonprofit firm that specializes in medical device evaluations, to help the fire department determine the cause of the fire. Fox News, 15 Sep. 2022 The project was put on hold due to the pandemic, and the new 8K footage may also help the company determine if this plan is still feasible two years later. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Online configurators can help customers determine the exact specification of a product. Denis Clifford, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Tomlin said participation in practice this week will determine Johnson's availability. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2022 The Archives found highly classified documents in the trove and referred the matter to the Justice Department, which began a probe to determine if Trump had more such materials in his possession. Erik Larson, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2022 The race in New Hampshire is one of a handful across the country that may determine if the Republicans win back the Senate majority in November’s midterm elections. Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 4 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit — more at term entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Kids Definition
determine
verb
de·ter·mine di-ˈtər-mən
determined; determining
1
: to come to a decision
They determined to leave immediately.
2
: to learn or find out exactly
Police determined the cause of the accident.
3
: to be the cause of or reason for
Demand determines the price of a product.
4
: to fix exactly and with certainty
Yes, it was settled; his career was determined. Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Medical Definition
determine
transitive verb
de·ter·mine di-ˈtər-mən
determined; determining -ˈtərm-(ə-)niŋ
1
a
: to obtain definite information about with regard to quantity, character, magnitude, or location
determine the ionic concentration
determine the creatinine in blood serum
b
: to discover the taxonomic position or the generic and specific names of
2
: to bring about the determination of
determine the fate of a cell
Legal Definition
determine
transitive verb
de·ter·mine
determined; determining
: to make a determination regarding
determine
verb
1
as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) a three-member panel will determine the case Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- decide
- judge
- settle
- adjudicate
- consider
- arbitrate
- resolve
- adjudge
- prosecute
- weigh
- hear
- referee
- umpire
- deem
- conclude
- ponder
- try
- rule (on)
- deliberate
- mediate
- negotiate
- moderate
- redetermine
- size up
- find (for or against)
- rejudge
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- equivocate
- hedge
- skirt
- pussyfoot
2
as in to choose
to come to a judgment about after discussion or consideration trying to determine which direction we were facing Synonyms & Similar Words
- decide
- choose
- figure
- opt
- find
- resolve
- conclude
- select
- rule
- elect
- pick
- settle (on or upon)
- adjudicate
- name
- prefer
- arbitrate
- decree
- adjudge
- cull
- ponder
- contemplate
- weigh
- handpick
- judge
- consider
- study
- deliberate
- debate
- ruminate
- referee
- umpire
- question
- meditate
- entertain
- cogitate
- chew over
- rule (on)
- mull (over)
- single (out)
- think (about or over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- refuse
- reject
- decline
- abstain
- turn down
- delay
- hesitate
- halt
- temporize
- stall
- vacillate
- waver
- waffle
- shilly-shally
3
as in to find
to come upon after searching, study, or effort we failed to determine the answer to the riddle Synonyms & Similar Words
- find
- learn
- discover
- locate
- ascertain
- detect
- get
- find out
- dig out
- descry
- run down
- dig up
- scare up
- turn up
- rummage
- nose out
- spot
- track (down)
- seek
- scout (up)
- dredge (up)
- hunt (down or up)
- hit (on or upon)
- sight
- espy
- ferret (out)
- rout (out)
- root (out)
- look for
- search (for or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- overlook
- miss
- lose
- pass over
- misplace
- mislay
- misset
4
as in to conclude
to come to an end your participation in the savings plan determines with the termination of your employment here Synonyms & Similar Words
- conclude
- stop
- cease
- end
- halt
- terminate
- expire
- pass
- go
- close
- finish
- die
- discontinue
- elapse
- let up
- lapse
- wind up
- stall
- leave off
- break up
- break off
- quit
- suspend
- bite the dust
- pause
- cut out
- stay
- dead-end
- wink (out)
- desist (from)
- abate
- break down
- lay off (of)
- refrain (from)
- give over
- wind down
- knock off
- pack (up or in)
- conk (out)
- peter (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continue
- persist
- extend
- prolong
- hang on
- draw out
- protract
5
as in to settle
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute your choice of college could determine the rest of your life Synonyms & Similar Words
- decide
- settle
- define
- clarify
- clinch
- prove
- establish
- ensure
- assure
- specify
- insure
- demonstrate
- affirm
- illuminate
- nail
- stipulate
- show
- state
- secure
- conclude
- nail (down)
- end
- finish
- clear (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confuse
- muddy
- unsettle
- muddle
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of determine are decide, resolve, rule, and settle. While all these words mean "to come or cause to come to a conclusion," determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.
determined the cause of the problem
The words decide and determine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.
she decided to sell her house
The synonyms resolve and determine are sometimes interchangeable, but resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.
he resolved to quit smoking
The meanings of rule and determine largely overlap; however, rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.
the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible
Although the words settle and determine have much in common, settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.
the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy