determine

/dɪˈtɜrmɪn/
verb
  1. To decide or settle something after thinking or investigating.
    • The committee will determine the winner of the contest next week.
    • The judge will determine the final outcome of the case.
    • We need to determine the best route before we start driving.
  2. To be the main cause or factor that controls something.
    • Genetics and environment both determine a person's height.
    • The amount of sunlight determines how well the plants will grow.
    • Your attitude often determines your success in life.
  3. To discover or find out something exactly, often by calculation or measurement.
    • Can you determine the distance between the two cities on this map?
    • The test will determine whether the water is safe to drink.
    • Scientists are trying to determine the age of the fossil.
  4. To make a firm decision to do something.
    • After much thought, he determined to change his career.
    • They determined to save enough money for a new house.
    • She determined to finish the marathon despite the pain.