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

Other Word Forms

• decisional adjective
• nondecision noun
• predecision noun
• redecision noun
• subdecision 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

Mark Sculpher, professor of health economics at the University of York, said there is no logical link between the prices the NHS pays to pharmaceutical companies and their decisions to locate manufacturing in the U.K.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Wolseley, he judges, never accepted that the logistical challenges incurred by his decision to follow the Nile had doomed his campaign.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We made the wrong decision,” said Norris, who had already been passed by Verstappen in the first corner of the race.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Going on testosterone is the single best decision I have ever made in my life and that is not an exaggeration,” they added.

Read more on Salon

A decision in that case is expected before Christmas.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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