decision-making

American

[dih-sizh-uhn-mey-king] / dɪˈsɪʒ ənˌmeɪ kɪŋ /

Or decision making or decisionmaking

noun

the act or process of making choices or decisions with a group of people, especially in business or politics (often used attributively).

decision-making skills.

Other Word Forms

decision-maker noun

Etymology

Origin of decision-making

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cooper believes that building a championship team starts with what he calls the five Ds: determination, dedication, desire, discipline and decision-making.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The use of military force requires bold and courageous decision-making.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Elevated to party chief after his predecessor's death in 2024, he has scrapped whole layers of government and abolished ministries and agencies in a bid to speed up official decision-making.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Raya is given a lot of responsibility with the ball at his feet and his passing range and decision-making make Arsenal a better attacking side.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The big-man has no independent decision-making authority, knows no diplomatic secrets, and can do no more than attempt to sway communal decisions.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023