determinism

noun

de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
dē-
1
philosophy
a
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will (see will entry 2 sense 4a), occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
b
: a belief in predestination
2
: the quality or state of being determined
determinist noun or adjective
deterministic adjective
deterministically adverb

compare indeterminism

Examples of determinism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To be fair, that last one is in a league of its own, but in a way, the liquid model takes a page from the quantum playbook in replacing a type of determinism (function determinism?) with, well, something else. John Werner, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 To rephrase mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace’s explanation of determinism and mechanics and apply it to the brain, one’s present brain, and so one’s mental state, can be thought of as a compilation of past states that can be used to predict the future. Max Bertolero, Scientific American, 1 July 2019 During the race’s opening laps, NBC fixed its camera on Brady and discussed the nominative determinism at play. Adam Kilgore, Washington Post, 28 June 2024 Cloning is the ultimate expression of genetic determinism—chromosomes as character. Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 26 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for determinism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'determinism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see determine

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of determinism was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near determinism

Cite this Entry

“Determinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/determinism. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

determinism

noun
de·​ter·​min·​ism di-ˈtər-mə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce determinism (audio)
1
: a theory or doctrine that acts of the will, occurrences in nature, or social or psychological phenomena are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws
explained behavior by the combination of an environmental and a genetic determinism
2
: the quality or state of being determined
deterministic adjective
also determinist
deterministically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on determinism

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