decision

noun de·ci·sion \ di-ˈsi-zhən \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: decision in a Sentence

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

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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

Mauricio Pellegrino has explained his decision to sign a one season contract with Leganes, having failed to see out the first year of a three year deal at Southampton.

— SI.com, "Mauricio Pellegrino Aiming to Avoid Southampton Mistakes After Signing 1-Year Leganes Contract," 13 July 2018
Thirty-seven percent say the court is about right in its decisions.

— dana blanton, Fox News, "Fox News Poll: Jury's out on Kavanaugh, voters want Senate vote before midterms," 13 July 2018
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a Twitter foe of Trump’s, defended his decision to allow the balloon to fly near Parliament.

— karla adam, Washington Post, "Meet the brains behind the ‘Trump Baby’ balloon," 13 July 2018
Livingston acknowledged on Tuesday that recent protests at the jail had an effect on his decision to end the relationship with ICE.

— otis r. taylor jr., SFChronicle.com, "Honduran woman deported from Contra Costa jail is glad to hear ICE is getting booted," 12 July 2018
The judge in his decision highlighted two revelations from Carter’s trial.

— jeff truesdell, PEOPLE.com, "Mass. Teen Who Urged Boyfriend to Kill Himself in Texts Says It Was Free Speech, Not Crime," 12 July 2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed back firmly, insisting that Germany makes its own decisions and drawing on her own background growing up in communist East Germany behind the Iron Curtain.

— jonathan lemire and jill colvin, Houston Chronicle, "Trump rattles NATO, knocking its value, assailing Germany," 12 July 2018
But perhaps most significant was their decision to not take a stance on Zionism, BDS, or the number of states that should exist in a final status agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.

— abraham riesman, Daily Intelligencer, "Can the young activists of IfNotNow change the conversation about Israel and the Palestinians, or will their contradictions hold them back?," 12 July 2018
Tri-City cited three main factors in its suspension decision.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Two county supervisors ask Tri-City to rethink mental health unit suspension," 12 July 2018

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.

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