determinant
noun
de·ter·mi·nant
di-ˈtər-mə-nənt 
1
: an element that identifies or determines the nature of something or that fixes or conditions an outcome
education level as a determinant of income
2
mathematics
: a square array of numbers bordered on the left and right by a vertical line and having a value equal to the algebraic sum of all possible products where the number of factors in each product is the same as the number of rows or columns, each factor in a given product is taken from a different row and column, and the sign of a product is positive or negative depending upon whether the number of permutations necessary to place the indices representing each factor's position in its row or column in the order of the natural numbers is odd or even
3
genetics
: gene
the determinant of the sickle-cell trait
4
biology
: epitope
Examples of determinant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2020 when Covid was still a major determinant regarding indoor get-togethers, our family regularly met outside on our deck.
—
Sheriff Ahmed, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
There may be some exceptions in activities like extreme long-distance swimming, where the determinants of performance are more complex.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
Advanced analytics using data that includes demographic information, clinical information and social determinants of health enable a better understanding of population needs, tailoring of interventions to specific at-risk groups and improved outcomes.
—Bishan Nandy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Financial instability influences social determinants and those are more important to our health than even genetics, McCarthy says.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for determinant 
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Sheriff Ahmed, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
There may be some exceptions in activities like extreme long-distance swimming, where the determinants of performance are more complex.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
Advanced analytics using data that includes demographic information, clinical information and social determinants of health enable a better understanding of population needs, tailoring of interventions to specific at-risk groups and improved outcomes.
—Bishan Nandy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Financial instability influences social determinants and those are more important to our health than even genetics, McCarthy says.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for determinant
Dictionary Entries Near determinant
Cite this Entry
“Determinant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinant. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
determinant
noun
de·ter·mi·nant
di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt
: something that determines or influences
Medical Definition
determinant
noun
de·ter·mi·nant
di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nənt
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