decision

noun

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de·ci·sion | \ di-ˈsi-zhən

Definition of decision

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the act or process of deciding the moment of decision has come

b : a determination arrived at after consideration : conclusion made the decision to attend graduate school

2 : a report of a conclusion a 5-page decision a Supreme Court decision

3 : promptness and firmness in deciding : determination acting with decision

4a : win specifically, combat sports : a victory based on points awarded Former heavyweight champion kickboxer Sterling (Cash) McCallum took a unanimous decision over Cesar Rendon in an eight-round standard bout in Phoenix … — New York Times

b baseball : a win or loss officially credited to a pitcher has five wins in eight decisions

decision

verb

decisioned; decisioning; decisions

Definition of decision (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

combat sports

: to win by being awarded more points than (an opponent) … he hasn't won an important fight since he decisioned Duran on Jan. 30, 1982.— William Nack

Other Words from decision Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing decision Learn More About decision

Examples of decision in a Sentence

Noun She announced her decision to go to medical school. Have you made a decision? He based his decision on facts, not emotions. She made a conscious decision to leave the painting unfinished. We need someone who will act with decision even under pressure. The U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 decision brought an end to racial segregation in public schools. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Under state law, the voters are allowed to appeal that decision in Fulton County Superior Court. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Williams’ decision came at the end of a nine-hour emergency hearing and hours after the State Board of Pardons and Paroles announced Presnell’s clemency was denied. — Shaddi Abusaid, ajc, 17 May 2022 Rocky takes a new wrestling gig in Nashville but weighs it against another life decision; Ata and Miss Elizabeth go out for a night on the town. — Hau Chu, Washington Post, 17 May 2022 The most famous constitutional case evincing health’s centrality was the Supreme Court’s 1905 decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, which upheld a Cambridge, Mass., vaccination mandate. — Wendy E. Parmet, Scientific American, 17 May 2022 Cheng's decision to charge the suspect caused the firearm to jam, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. — Eric Levenson And Elizabeth Joseph, CNN, 17 May 2022 Belgium, a founding member of NATO and home to the alliance’s headquarters, welcomed the decision of Sweden and Finland to become members. — Sune Engel Rasmussen, WSJ, 17 May 2022 The decision represents an important but costly victory for Moscow as its military offensive struggles and its geopolitical position is weakened further by Sweden and Finland's bids to join NATO. — Alexander Smith, NBC News, 17 May 2022 More details on the decision to exclude Andrew from the appearance, here. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 17 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Giving the final call on Trump back to Facebook is unlikely to result in the fair and even decision the board members are calling for, said Joan Donovan, a disinformation and extremism researcher at Harvard University. — Washington Post, 6 May 2021 The first period also included Scott Laughton decisioning Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy in a fight. — Sam Carchidi, Philly.com, 1 Nov. 2017 Chris Early of Don Juan Avila decisioned Seth Lyon of Niguel Hills and four other finalists to win bodyboarding. — Fred Swegles, Orange County Register, 28 Mar. 2017 See More

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

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Last Updated

20 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Decision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decision. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for decision

decision

noun

de·ci·sion | \ di-ˈsi-zhən

Kids Definition of decision

1 : the act or result of making a choice especially after careful thought "… I have come to a very important decision. These are the wrong sort of bees."— A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

2 : the ability to make choices quickly and confidently She was a leader of courage and decision.

decision

noun

de·ci·sion | \ di-ˈsi-zhən

Legal Definition of decision

: an authoritative determination (as a decree or judgment) made after consideration of facts or law also : a report or document containing such a determination — see also memorandum decision — compare disposition, finding, holding, judgment, opinion, ruling, verdict

Note: A decision, while being an authoritative determination of a disputed issue, does not have to be a final determination closing the case. Some interlocutory decisions may be appealed.