destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən How to pronounce destine (audio)
destined; destining

transitive verb

1
: to decree beforehand : predetermine
was not destined to attain the throne
2
a
: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance
believed their son was destined for the priesthood
destined to succeed
a flaw that destines them to fail
b
: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place
freight destined for European ports

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball
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.
He seems destined to earn a lucrative deal on the open market. Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 But this step is essential so as to not create a program destined to fail. Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 He is destined to grace occasions where the stakes are considerably higher, but Ngumoha will never forget this night. James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2025 Rendered in strikingly realistic detail and often at life size, they are all destined to go up in flames to be transferred to the afterlife—where spirits require comfort and possessions just like the living do. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for destine

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destine was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Destine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destine. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

destine

verb
des·​tine ˈdes-tən How to pronounce destine (audio)
destined; destining
1
: to settle in advance
a plan destined to fail
2
: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance
destined their child for the study of law
3
: to be bound or directed
a ship destined for New York
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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