decision

[ dih-sizh-uhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of deciding; deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment:

   They must make a decision between these two contestants.

2. the act of or need for making up one's mind:

   This is a difficult decision.

3. something that is decided; decided; resolution:

   She made a poor decision when she dropped out of school.

4. a judgment, as one formally pronounced by a court:

   It is the decision of this court that the appeal is granted.

   Synonyms: decree, finding, verdict, ruling

5. the quality of being decided; firmness:

   He spoke with decision and calm authority.

6. the final score in any sport or contest:

   The decision was 5 to 4 in favor of the home team.

7. Boxing. the awarding of a victory in a match not decided by a knockout or technical knockout, usually through a vote of the referee and judges.

verb (used with object)

1. Boxing. to win a victory over (one's opponent) by a point score rather than a knockout.

decision

/ dɪˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. a judgment, conclusion, or resolution reached or given; verdict
2. the act of making up one's mind
3. firmness of purpose or character; determination

Derived Forms

• deˈcisional, adjective

Other Words From

• de·cision·al adjective
• nonde·cision noun
• prede·cision noun
• rede·cision noun
• subde·cision noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decision¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English decisioun, from Middle French, from Latin dēcīsiōn-, stem of dēcīsiō “a cutting off,” equivalent to dēcīs(us) (past participle of dēcīdere “to cut off”; decide ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of decision¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin dēcīsiō, literally: a cutting off; see decide

Example Sentences

The bubble’s proximity provided convenience to players weighing group decisions, total authority over game proceedings to the league, plus a controlled environment when it came to health and safety.

From Washington Post

There also needs to be transparency about who’s making the decisions and who they’re interacting with.

From Outside Online

You learn earlier on if this is the type of person with whom you can make difficult decisions.

From Washington Post

The paper’s personnel decisions, accordingly, draw more scrutiny than those at the average news organization.

From Washington Post

At that point, you had even less of an opportunity to get your viewpoint out because you had to hope that someone would write a story or broadcast a story, decisions that were controlled by a few massive companies.

From ProPublica

Unless there is a court decision that changes our law, we are OK.

From The Daily Beast

Other major news outlets made the same decision, hiding behind a misplaced sense of multicultural sensitivity.

From The Daily Beast

The decision not to run the cartoons is motivated by nothing more than fear: either fear of offending or fear of retaliation.

From The Daily Beast

Who do you turn to now when you have a decision to make, when you have one less person to provide validation or advice?

From The Daily Beast

At some point, show creator Mark Burnett made the diabolical decision to extend the show to 120 minutes.

From The Daily Beast

There was no vivacity in his putty-coloured features, but there were promptitude and decision in every abrupt gesture.

From Project Gutenberg

Aguinaldo withheld his decision until Paterno could report to him the definite opinions of his generals.

From Project Gutenberg

After an hour, however, he reached this decision: He would not go to or call up Mrs. Merley.

From Project Gutenberg

In both cases the decision was made at a feast, and in favour of the one who “loved much.”

From Project Gutenberg

At last his anxiety reached a point where he was positive that if he received an adverse decision, it would surely kill him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accord
• agreement
• arrangement
• choice
• compromise
• determination
• finding
• judgment
• opinion
• outcome
• resolution
• result
• ruling
• selection
• settlement
• verdict