determiner

noun

de·​ter·​min·​er di-ˈtər-mə-nər How to pronounce determiner (audio)
: one that determines: such as
a
: gene
b
: a word (such as an article, possessive, demonstrative, or quantifier) that makes specific the denotation of a noun phrase

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web From digestion-minded intermittent fasting to gut health as a determiner of youthful skin, digestive health and function have taken center stage in the wellness conversation. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022 In any case, the general popular opinion is that a nation-state is going to be the crucial determiner of attaining AGI. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 According to LPL Research, the key determiner to watch to indicate a market rebound is if the S&P can reach and maintain a level of 4200, which is the resistance threshold. Lucy Brewster, Fortune, 22 July 2022 The price of crude oil, a key determiner for gas prices, surpassed $110 a barrel Wednesday. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2022 Wednesday, suddenly morphing into a newspaper editor and apparent determiner of article length. Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Mar. 2022 The price of crude oil is a key determiner for prices at the pump. Editors, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2022 Later that year, serendipity joined persistence and temerity as a determiner of the drug’s fate. Stephanie Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021 Yet the dividend alone is not the sole determiner of value. Moneyshow, Forbes, 21 May 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'determiner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of determiner was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near determiner

Cite this Entry

“Determiner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determiner. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

determiner

noun
de·​ter·​min·​er di-ˈtər-mə-nər How to pronounce determiner (audio)
: a word belonging to a group of noun modifiers that can occur before descriptive adjectives modifying the same noun
"the" in "the red house" is a determiner

Medical Definition

determiner

noun
de·​ter·​min·​er -ˈtərm-(ə-)nər How to pronounce determiner (audio)
: gene
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