/ dɪˈtɜːmɪn; NAmE -ˈtɜːrm-/ verb ( formal )
1.
to discover the facts about sth; to calculate sth exactly
SYN establish :
[ vn ]
An inquiry was set up to determine the cause of the accident.
[ v wh- ]
We set out to determine exactly what happened that night.
[also vn that ]
2.
to make sth happen in a particular way or be of a particular type :
[ vn ]
Age and experience will be determining factors in our choice of candidate.
Upbringing plays an important part in determining a person's character.
[also v wh- ]
3.
to officially decide and/or arrange sth :
[ vn ]
A date for the meeting has yet to be determined.
[ v ( that )]
The court determined (that) the defendant should pay the legal costs.
4.
determine on sth / to do sth to decide definitely to do sth :
[ v to inf ]
They determined to start early.
[also v , v ( that )]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French determiner , from Latin determinare limit, fix, from de- completely + terminare terminate.