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

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Red Wings, who won for the second time in their last seven games, were coming off their fourth loss by five goals or more with Thursday night's 7-1 decision against visiting Nashville. — Bob Sutton, Star Tribune, "Erne gets shootout winner, Red Wings beat Hurricanes 5-4," 10 Apr. 2021 The court also sided with churches over the state of California in a December 2020 decision. — Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, "Supreme Court pauses California restrictions on in-home religious gatherings," 10 Apr. 2021 For example, the Massachusetts Turnpike project in Allston — already years in planning — is still awaiting a key decision on whether to put the portion now on a viaduct at ground level, or keep it elevated. — BostonGlobe.com, "Biden wants to spend billions on transportation infrastructure. What’s in it for Mass.?," 10 Apr. 2021 The Red Wings were coming off their fourth loss by five goals or more with Thursday night’s 7-1 decision against visiting Nashville. — Bob Sutton, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings beat Carolina Hurricanes, 5-4 (SO), with double dose of Adam Erne," 11 Apr. 2021 The bills’ supporters hope the U.S. Supreme Court, now with a 6-3 conservative majority, might be open to overturning or weakening the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established the nationwide right to end pregnancies. — David Crary And Iris Samuels, chicagotribune.com, "Some Republican-led states are targeting abortions done through medication," 11 Apr. 2021 In his remarks Friday night, Cotton leaned into the GOP’s culture wars, attacking the Democrats’ positions on transgender youth, voter ID laws and Major League Baseball’s decision to move its All-Star Game to protest Republican voting laws. — Steve Peoples, ajc, "Trump goes after Pence, McConnell in speech to party donors," 11 Apr. 2021 In his remarks Friday night, Cotton leaned into the GOP’s culture wars, attacking the Democrats’ positions on transgender youth, voter ID laws and Major League Baseball’s decision to move its All-Star Game to protest Republican voting laws. — Steve Peoples, orlandosentinel.com, "Trump goes after Pence, McConnell in speech to party donors," 11 Apr. 2021 Stotts will have an interesting decision to make moving forward. — oregonlive, "Portland Trail Blazers’ Enes Kanter says support from teammates made rebounding record special: ‘That’s what we are all about’," 11 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb 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

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

14 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Decision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decision. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for decision

decision

noun

English Language Learners Definition of decision

: a choice that you make about something after thinking about it : the result of deciding

formal : the ability to make choices quickly and confidently

: the particular end of a legal or official argument : a legal or official judgment

See the full definition for decision in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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.