doom Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
    doomsday; day of reckoning; end of the world.
    • everyone was aware of the approaching doom but was helpless to avoid it
    • that's unfortunate but it isn't the end of the world
  2. verb decree or designate beforehand
    destine; fate; designate.
    • She was destined to become a great pianist
  3. verb pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law
    condemn; sentence.
    • He was condemned to ten years in prison
  4. verb make certain of the failure or destruction of
    • This decision will doom me to lose my position

WordNet

Doom noun
Etymology
As. dm; akin to OS. dm, OHG. tuom, Dan. & Sw. dom, Icel. dmr, Goth. dms, Gr. law; fr. the root of E. do, v. t. . See Do, v. t., and cf. Deem, -dom.
Definitions
  1. Judgment; judicial sentence; penal decree; condemnation.
    The first dooms of London provide especially the recovery of cattle belonging to the citizens. J. R. Green.
    Now against himself he sounds this doom. Shak.
  2. That to which one is doomed or sentenced; destiny or fate, esp. unhappy destiny; penalty.
    Ere Hector meets his doom. Pope.
    And homely household task shall be her doom. Dryden.
  3. Ruin; death.
    This is the day of doom for Bassianus. Shak.
  4. Discriminating opinion or judgment; discrimination; discernment; decision. Obs.
    And there he learned of things and haps to come, To give foreknowledge true, and certain doom. Fairfax.
    Syn. -- Sentence; condemnation; decree; fate; destiny; lot; ruin; destruction.
Doom transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Doomed ; present participle & verbal noun Dooming
Definitions
  1. To judge; to estimate or determine as a judge. Obs. Milton.
  2. To pronounce sentence or judgment on; to condemn; to consign by a decree or sentence; to sentence; as, a criminal doomed to chains or death.
    Absolves the just, and dooms the guilty souls. Dryden.
  3. To ordain as penalty; hence, to mulct or fine.
    Have I tongue to doom my brother's death? Shak.
  4. To assess a tax upon, by estimate or at discretion. New England J. Pickering.
  5. To destine; to fix irrevocably the destiny or fate of; to appoint, as by decree or by fate.
    A man of genius . . . doomed to struggle with difficulties. Macaulay.

Webster 1913