decision

noun de·ci·sion \ di-ˈsi-zhən \

Definition of decision

1 a : 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

4 a : 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

—

decisional

play \-ˈsi-zhnəl, -ˈsi-zhə-nᵊl\ adjective

See decision defined for English-language learners

See decision defined for kids

Examples of decision in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of decision from the Web

Prior to becoming president, Dudley was in charge of managing open market operations at the New York Fed, which implements FOMC rate decisions.

— matthew boesler, Bloomberg.com, "New York Fed's Dudley Close to Announcing Retirement, CNBC Says," 5 Nov. 2017
The rhythms of the case appear similar to those in South Hackensack: decisions postponed, application revisions requested, a surprise denial.

— emma green, The Atlantic, "The Quiet Religious-Freedom Fight That Is Remaking America," 5 Nov. 2017
The delayed announcement comes after the television networks deferred the decision to this weekend.

— john talty, AL.com, "Alabama-Mississippi State kickoff time, TV info announced," 5 Nov. 2017
Has Gase’s decision put a wedge between himself and his players?

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "How do Dolphins players feel about Jay Ajayi? Just check their Twitter feeds after Ajayi’s TD," 5 Nov. 2017
Replays showed the Spaniard might have been flagged offside, but the decision went in the home side's favour.

— SI.com, "Man City Brushes Aside Arsenal Thanks to De Bruyne, Agüero and Jesus," 5 Nov. 2017
But Crown Point could not overcome Avon as well in a 25-17, 25-18, 25-18 decision at Ball State.

— robby general, Post-Tribune, "Arizona State recruit Morgan Chacon injured as Crown Point falls in state final," 4 Nov. 2017
That decision next month once seemed pro forma, but no longer, with some even predicting a breakdown in the talks.

— steven erlanger, New York Times, "No One Knows What Britain Is Anymore," 4 Nov. 2017
And those decisions include how to best invest any new income streams.

— james pilcher, Cincinnati.com, "Major League Soccer: Ponzi scheme or smart investment for Cincinnati?," 4 Nov. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of decision

Middle English decisioun, from Middle French, from Latin decision-, decisio, from decidere to decide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

decision Synonyms

decision

verb

Definition of decision

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

Recent Examples of decision from the Web

The first period also included Scott Laughton decisioning Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy in a fight.

— sam carchidi, Philly.com, "Radko Gudas injured as Flyers fall to Crawford, Blackhawks," 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, "Shorecliffs surfers win O.C. event at San Clemente pier," 28 Mar. 2017

Origin and Etymology of decision

see ¹decision

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1914

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

DECISION Defined for English Language Learners

decision

noun

Definition of decision for English Language Learners

: a choice that you make about something after thinking about it : the result of deciding
: the ability to make choices quickly and confidently
: the particular end of a legal or official argument : a legal or official judgment

DECISION Defined for Kids

decision

noun de·ci·sion \ di-ˈsi-zhən \

Definition of decision for Students

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.

Law Dictionary

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.

—