# determining

/dɪˈtɝmənɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪtˈɜːmɪnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/determining
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. deciding or establishing

verb · CEFR B2

the act of deciding something officially or finding out the exact facts.

For teachers: the process of establishing something exactly by calculation, research, or authoritative decision.

- Determining the cause of the accident took the investigators several weeks.
- Determining the precise sequence of events required a meticulous review of the surveillance footage and multiple witness statements.

Usage: Often used as a gerund to describe a process of investigation.

### 2. causing a result

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

being the most important reason why something happens or how it ends.

For teachers: functioning as a decisive or causal factor in a situation or outcome.

- The cost of the project was the determining factor in our final choice.
- Market volatility proved to be the determining influence on the board's decision to postpone the initial public offering.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- Scientists are still determining the cause of the problem.
- The committee is currently determining which candidate has the most relevant experience for the leadership role.
- While genetic factors play a significant role, environmental influences are often the primary drivers in determining how these traits manifest throughout an individual's adult life.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.