# determinant

/dɪˈtɝmənənt/ (US) · /dɪtˈɜːmɪnənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/determinant
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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