ETYM Latin praedestinatio: cf. French prédestination.
(Theology) The doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind); SYN. foreordination, preordination, predetermination.
In Christian theology, the doctrine asserting that God has determined all events beforehand, including the ultimate salvation or damnation of the individual human soul; see free will.