1. To control, limit, regulate, or to define: The condition of the ice rink will determine if the hockey players can play their game in the morning.
2. To ascertain or to establish exactly; usually, as a result of research or calculations: Officials are trying to determine what caused the bridge to collapse and fall into the river when a truck was accidentally driven into at least one girder, or possibly several girders, causing the bridge to collapse and sending two vehicles and a mass of concrete and steel into the river. Fortunately, it was determined that no one was killed.

The objectives of the revisions of the business report were to determine what was accurate and not merely to satisfy the superintendent's views.

Glenda was determined to complete her college education so she could get a good job as a computer programmer.