discretion

noun

dis·​cre·​tion di-ˈskre-shən 

1

: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment : the quality of being discreet

handled the awkward situation with great discretion

especially : cautious reserve (as in revealing information)

uses discretion when discussing personal matters

She is the soul of discretion. [=she is very discreet]

2

: the use of careful judgment in making responsible decisions

Due to the amount of violence in the movie, parental discretion is advised.

3

a

: individual choice or judgment

I leave the decision to your discretion.

Exactly how much to tip a server is at the discretion of the customer.

b

: power to choose or decide freely within certain legal bounds

reached the age of discretion

prosecutorial discretion

Synonyms of discretion

• prudence
• wisdom
• sense

Examples of discretion in a Sentence

Though it is worth noting that to live in a place where other people come just for pleasure has the odd effect of making me feel transient, while the visitors seem more fixed and permanent in their lives, coming as they do from more conventional homes far away. It is as if I am always waiting for them and am here at their discretion. —Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008

In Texas "capital" murder doesn't necessarily mean a death-penalty case; it's the designation for any aggravated murder, and prosecutors have full discretion in deciding whether to seek death in such cases. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003

Del Monte was a courtier, bureaucrat, diplomat and politician born and bred and he understood the need for discretion. —Peter Robb, The Man Who Became Caravaggio, (1998) 1999

Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work.

The coach used his own discretion to let the injured quarterback play.

He always uses care and discretion when dealing with others.

She handled the awkward situation with great discretion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus the idea of carving out the Fed for special treatment when all other agencies have executives who serve solely at the President’s discretion did not sit well with several Supreme Court justices. — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

However, many do not have school-wide policies and instead ask faculty to use their discretion in their classrooms. — Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

However, if the FDA ultimately reclassifies them, clinicians would have discretion to write prescriptions outside of those narrow indications. — Will Stone, NPR, 22 July 2026

The extradition process requires a hearing before a US judge to determine whether the treaty’s requirements are met, but the final decision is made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who retains discretion to deny extradition. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English discrecioun "rational perception, moral discernment, good judgment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French discreciun, descrecion, borrowed from Late Latin discrētiōn-, discrētiō "separation, act or power of distinguishing, caution, prudence," going back to Latin, "division, discrimination," from discrē-, variant stem of discernere "to separate, distinguish" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at discern

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discretion

• at (someone's) discretion
• at the discretion of (someone)
• discretion is the better part of valor
• leave to the discretion of

Rhymes for discretion

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression
• possession

Kids Definition

discretion

noun

dis·​cre·​tion dis-ˈkresh-ən 

1

: the quality of being discreet : prudence

2

a

: individual choice or judgment

left the decision to your discretion

b

: power of free decision

reached the age of discretion

discretionary

-ˈkresh-ə-ˌner-ē

adjective

Legal Definition

discretion

noun

dis·​cre·​tion dis-ˈkre-shən 

: power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain bounds imposed by law

reached the age of discretion

struck down death penalty provisions administered through unbridled jury discretion

—L. H. Tribe

: as

a

: the power of a judge to use his or her own judgment in making decisions guided by what is fair and equitable and by principles of law see also abuse of discretion

b

: the power of a public official or employee to act and make decisions based on his or her own judgment or conscience within the bounds of reason and the law