(determines, determining, determined)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If a particular factor determines the nature of a thing or event, it causes it to be of a particular kind. (FORMAL)
The size of the chicken pieces will determine the cooking time...
What determines whether you are a career success or a failure?
= dictate
VERB: V n, V wh
• determination
...the gene which is responsible for male sex determination.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
2.
To determine a fact means to discover it as a result of investigation. (FORMAL)
The investigation will determine what really happened...
Testing needs to be done to determine the long-term effects on humans...
Science has determined that the risk is very small.
= identify
VERB: V wh, V n, V that
3.
If you determine something, you decide it or settle it.
The Baltic people have a right to determine their own future...
My aim was first of all to determine what I should do next.
VERB: V n, V wh, also V that, V wh to-inf
• determination (determinations)
We must take into our own hands the determination of our future.
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu the N of n
4.
If you determine to do something, you make a firm decision to do it. (FORMAL)
He determined to rescue his two countrymen...
I determined that I would ask him outright.
VERB: V to-inf, V that