Word
determinant
Phoneticsde·ter·mi·nant, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈtɝmənənt/
UK/dɪtˈɜːmɪnənt/
Definition
n. a substance that causes a specific change in a living system. In biology, it is often a chemical that tells a cell what to do or how to grow.
n. a substance that influences or determines a particular biological process or outcome. Often refers to a chemical signal that regulates cellular activity or developmental pathways.
Examples
“The growth hormone is a key determinant of height.”
“Researchers identified a specific protein as the primary determinant of how quickly the cells divide during the early stages of development.”
“While genetics provides the blueprint, environmental factors such as nutrition and stress serve as the primary determinants of how those genes are expressed in the final phenotype.”
Examples
simple
“The growth hormone is a key determinant of height.”
contextual
“Researchers identified a specific protein as the primary determinant of how quickly the cells divide during the early stages of development.”
complex
“While genetics provides the blueprint, environmental factors such as nutrition and stress serve as the primary determinants of how those genes are expressed in the final phenotype.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “determinant” in context.
Adjective
01. important determinant
“Genetic factors are an important determinant of how a cell responds to external stimuli.”
adj + noun
02. key determinant
“The concentration of this protein acts as a key determinant in the cell's growth cycle.”
adj + noun
03. main determinant
“Researchers identified the hormone as the main determinant of the observed biological change.”
adj + noun
04. major determinant
“Environmental pH is a major determinant in the differentiation of these specific stem cells.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“When mapping 81 determinants of fun, “winning” ranked 40th in importance.” “One of us is a social epidemiologist who studies the social and structural determinants of health, and the other is a prevention scientist who studies risk and protective factors among young people.” “Northwestern Medicine researchers identified the connection using a new index designed to capture several neighborhood social determinants of health at once.” Etymology
Borrowed from French déterminant, equivalent to determine + -ant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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