The act of determining, or the state of being determined. The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.
determination in U.S. law
• The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.
• The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents.
• The addition of a distinguishing feature to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent.
• The act of determining the relations of an object, such as genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification
• Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
• The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decisive character; resoluteness; fortitude.
• The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
• That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
• A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part
• Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
The practical impact of determination
determination appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
determination — procedural details
In practice, determination is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.