to discover the facts or exact amount of something by studying evidence, calculating, or thinking carefully
Engineers determine how strong a bridge must be before building it.
Astronomers determine the distance to a star by measuring its light.
✦ Late Middle English from Old French determiner, from Latin determinare “to bound, limit, settle” (de– “completely” + terminus “boundary, end”).
to decide or control what will happen; to be the cause of something
Genetics partly determines the color of your eyes.
Market demand will determine the product’s final price.
(formal) to officially decide or settle something, especially in law or government
The court will determine whether the evidence is admissible.
The committee must determine the best site for the new hospital.
