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

If he was found to be deficient, the court would have to decide if the outcome of the case would have been different, the judge said.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Judge denies Mexican businessman's bid for new trial in campaign finance scheme case", 2 June 2017
Now, with investments that extend for decades, these big industries must decide whether Trump’s attempt to reverse the shift toward more sustainable energy is itself politically sustainable.

— ronald brownstein, The Atlantic, "Is Trump's Climate-Change Agenda Politically Sustainable?", 1 June 2017
The BBC, which is hosting the debate at 7:30 p.m., confirmed that Corbyn had decided to attend, while a Conservative Party spokesman said that May had no plans to join him.

— svenja o'donnell, Bloomberg.com, "Corbyn Puts May on the Spot by Agreeing to Attend Debate", 31 May 2017
Secretary General António Guterres will decide who fills the new job, although both Russia and the United States are expected to make their views known.

— adam entous, Washington Post, "Trump administration moves to return Russian compounds in Maryland and New York", 31 May 2017
SPOKANE — As big hits go, the two that decided the Class 4A state softball championship Saturday at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex traveled, maybe, 66 feet combined.

— steve christilaw, The Seattle Times, "Woodinville caps perfect season by beating Puyallup for Class 4A state softball title", 27 May 2017
Or at least a player (or two) that decides winning a title is more important than money, offering a discount to a contender for a chance at winning an elusive NBA championship.

— neil greenberg, chicagotribune.com, "The Cavaliers will face the Warriors in the 2017 NBA finals. And 2018. And 2019 …", 26 May 2017
The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole were unconstitutional for juveniles, and in 2016 the court decided that ruling should be applied retroactively.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Troopers investigating fatal I-459 wreck near Grants Mill Road", 26 May 2017
That includes families who may have to decide whether to remove a family member from life support.

— elizabeth olson, New York Times, "Finding Meaning in Health Crises", 25 May 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

First Known Use: 14th century

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.