decide

play

verb de·cide \di-ˈsīd, dē-\

Definition of decide

decided

;

deciding

transitive verb
1a : to make a final choice or judgment about decide what to do couldn't decide whether to take the job or notb : to select as a course of action —used with an infinitive decided to goc : to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude They decided that he was right.
2 : to bring to a definitive end one blow decided the fight
3 : to induce to come to a choice her pleas decided him to help
intransitive verb
: to make a choice or judgment decide on where to go

decider

noun

See decide defined for English-language learners

See decide defined for kids

Examples of decide in a Sentence

He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6.
She is having difficulty deciding about the offer.
They decided that he was right.
I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming.
“Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.”
A few hundred votes could decide the election.
One blow decided the fight.
This battle could very well decide the war.
Will the business be successful? Let the public decide.
The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.

Recent Examples of decide from the Web

Hospitals have their own set of considerations, including cost and patient population, to decide who gets the milk, Bar-Yam said.

— anna claire vollers, AL.com, "Rise in donated breast milk raises questions of fairness across Alabama," 19 July 2017
Dan Shanower/Sept. 11, 2001 Memorial and the western portion of the Naperville Township parking lot, the council decided.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Official Naperville Riverwalk map to be drawn with room for expansion," 19 July 2017
The next day, other co-workers decided to investigate what extent of porn was on the computer, according to the affidavit.

— by hannah morse, miamiherald, "His church co-workers wanted to play a prank. They found child porn instead, cops say," 18 July 2017
Board of Trustees members filed into an executive session to discuss personnel matters following Tuesday’s public meeting, but gave no indication about whether the status of the college’s president, Doris F. Givens, would be decided.

— mará rose williams, kansascity, "KCKCC hears from campus community about its move to oust the college’s president," 18 July 2017
So after Cersei (Lena Headey) ascended the Iron Throne in last season’s finale, the drama’s masterminds decided to give Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) her own damn throne too.

— vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones Premiere: The Secret Symbolism in Daenerys’s Awesome Throne," 17 July 2017
Rich contends that the military violated his constitutional rights by relying on the shaky, hearsay testimony of a toddler and then allowing a biased juror to disregard the sailor’s exemplary military record as the jury decided his sentence in 2014.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "In rare move, federal judge overrules military court and reopens molestation case," 17 July 2017
So after Cersei (Lena Headey) ascended the Iron Throne in last season’s finale, the drama’s masterminds decided to give Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) her own damn throne too.

— julie miller, HWD, "Game of Thrones Premiere: The Secret Symbolism in Daenerys’s Awesome Throne," 17 July 2017
Of the hundreds of potential houses a buyer may have to choose from, the average buyer in today's market is looking at 10-12 houses before deciding on one to make an offer on.

— melissa rolland, courant.com, "Turning Ow Into Wow," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of decide

Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of decide

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. she decided to sell her house determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. determined the cause of the problem settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. he resolved to quit smoking

DECIDE Defined for English Language Learners

decide

play

verb

Definition of decide for English Language Learners

: to make a choice about (something) : to choose (something) after thinking about it
: to choose whether or not to believe (something) after thinking about it : to reach a conclusion about (something) because of evidence
: to cause (something) to end in a particular way : to determine what the result of (something) will be

DECIDE Defined for Kids

decide

play

verb de·cide \di-ˈsīd\

Definition of decide for Students

decided

;

deciding

1 : to make a judgment on The judge decided the case.
2 : to bring to an end in a particular way One vote could decide the election.
3 : to make a choice especially after careful thought We decided to go.