destination
dess-tih-NAY-shun
/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən/
The place to which someone or something is going or being sent.
Focuses on the end point or goal of a journey.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'destinare', built from 'de-' (thoroughly) and root 'stanare' (related to 'stare' - to stand). It originally meant setting or fixing something firmly in place before taking on the modern meaning of a targeted end location.
Word relationships
- terminus: 'Terminus' refers specifically to the end station of a railway, bus line, or transit system.
- goal: 'Goal' is abstract or objective-driven, while 'destination' usually implies physical geographical travel.
- origin: 'Origin' is the starting point of a trip, opposite to destination.
- departure point: 'Departure point' marks where a journey begins.
Commonly confused with
- destiny: 'Destiny' means fate or predetermined life path, while 'destination' is a physical travel target.
Word family
- destine (verb): To intend or devote for a specific purpose.
- destined (adjective): Headed toward a certain point or fate.
Collocations
- final destination
- reach a destination
- destination address
- holiday destination
Idioms & expressions
- journey before destination
Example sentences
- "Please type your final destination into the navigation search bar before requesting a driver." Rideshare app navigation
- "We reached our destination after an hour-long drive through heavy rain." Travel prose
Memory hook
DESTINY leads you to your DESTINATION. Where the journey ends.
When not to use
Do not use 'destination' to describe stopping points along the middle of a route (use 'waypoint' or 'stopover').
Fun facts
- In modern GPS tech, 'destination prediction algorithms' can guess where you are heading based on your daily routine and time of day.
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