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.

If people can’t trust what they see and hear, informed decision-making becomes nearly impossible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Sky Sports says the process involves so many bodies, including clubs and the police, that much of the decision-making is taken out of their hands.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

“For younger or beginner investors, having parental visibility or approval can be helpful in guiding decision-making and reinforcing good habits,” Tobin said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

It was such a baffling overture that Xi suspected it was an impulsive gesture, said people close to Beijing’s decision-making.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Their poor decision-making had tethered Felix Rannells to Benji Porter for the entire day.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

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