détermination

Détermination is a French noun with several related meanings. Etymologically, it derives from Latin determinatio, from determinare meaning to bound, define, or decide. In everyday French, it denotes the act of deciding or establishing something, as well as the result of such an act, and the firmness of purpose in a person.

In psychology and common usage, la détermination refers to the resolve or willpower to pursue goals. A person described as having determination is typically viewed as persistent and focused, especially when facing obstacles. This sense is often discussed in education, personal development, and motivational contexts.

In scientific and technical language, détermination designates the process of determining or ascertaining a quantity, property, or identity. This includes measurements, calculations, and identifications, such as the determination of concentration, mass, distance, or the age of objects by dating methods. The term appears in fields such as chemistry, metrology, and forensic science, often paired with specific methods (for example, determination by titration or spectrometry).

Administrative, legal, and philosophical contexts also use the term. In administration, une détermination can be an official decision or ruling issued by a body or authority. In philosophy, the term relates to determinism—the idea that events are fixed by preceding causes—and to discussions about the degree of indeterminacy in nature and human action.