decide

verb de·cide \ di-ˈsīd , dē- \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of decide

decided; deciding

transitive verb

1 a : to make a final choice or judgment about

decide what to do

couldn't decide whether to take the job or not

b : to select as a course of action —used with an infinitive

decided to go

c : 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

Legislators plan to call a special session to decide whether to impeach the governor.

— joseph bustos, kansascity, "Greitens' lawyers accuse prosecutors of withholding evidence that contradicts report | The Kansas City Star," 12 Apr. 2018
Two months to decide whether there was enough evidence to charge Foster with a crime.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "49ers’ response to Foster charges is shameful," 12 Apr. 2018
The second innovation, known as the Nations League, would replace the Confederations Cup as FIFA’s second-tier competition in a format yet to be decided.

— Washington Post, "FIFA looks for $25 billion, 12-year deal for new tournaments," 11 Apr. 2018
The exact time the relationship began has been a central issue for the jury to decide, The Mirror reported.

— Fox News, "Teen boy gives lurid details on alleged sex with married teacher and mother, 53, during her UK trial," 11 Apr. 2018
Saunders said loan terms and payment plans are best left to the borrower and the lender to decide based on the individual's financial situation.

— jackie borchardt, cleveland.com, "Payday loan reform bill stalls (again) amid Rosenberger FBI inquiry," 11 Apr. 2018
Several other people on both sides of the issue agreed that the city is not ready to decide the issue at the polls.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Carlsbad to work with county on airport plan," 11 Apr. 2018
Dancing Ray Lewis, the former Baltimore Ravens great who can’t seem to stop dancing, is now using his relationship with God to decide who does and who doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Ray Lewis, the Lawd’s Favorite Linebacker, Claims That Odell Beckham Jr. Has Removed God From His Life," 10 Apr. 2018
EDUCATION FUNDING Voters in November will get to decide whether to prohibit the state from spending revenues from Maryland’s six casinos on anything other than K-12 education.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "These are the highlights of the 2018 Maryland General Assembly session," 10 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

decide Synonyms

Phrases

dispose of;

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

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