Meaning of determine In English

• 0 to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen:

  • The number of staff we can take on will be determined by how much money we're allowed to spend.

  • Your health is determined in part by what you eat.

  • Eye colour is genetically determined.

  • [ + question word ] formal Officials will determine whether or not the game will be played.

  • People should be allowed to determine their own future.

  • [ + that ] She determined that one day she would be an actor.

  • [ + to infinitive ] On leaving jail, Joe determined to reform.

• 1 to discover the facts or truth about something:

  • The police never actually determined the cause of death.

  • [ + question word ] It is the responsibility of the court to determine whether these men are innocent.

  • [ + that ] The jury determined that the men were guilty.

• 2 to control or influence directly; to decide:

  • [ T ] We should be allowed to determine our own future.

  • [ T ] Eye color is genetically determined.

  • [ + to infinitive ] He determined to find out the real reason.

• 3 to find out or make certain facts or information:

  • The police never actually determined the cause of death.

  • [ + question word ] I can’t determine why your phone isn’t working.

  • [ + that clause ] The investigation determined that the death was accidental.

• 4 to control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen:

  • The number of staff we can take on will be determined by how much money we're allowed to spend.

  • The company will determine which stores to close by the end of November.

• 5 to discover the facts or truth about something:

  • determine whether/why/how, etc. The office will conduct a follow-up audit to determine whether changes and improvements have been made.