decision

noun de·ci·sion \ di-ˈsi-zhən \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 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

Video assistant referees will help referees in matches look for clear and obvious errors in four game-changing scenarios: goals, penalty decisions, red card incidents and mistaken identity.

— jenna west, SI.com, "How Does VAR Work in the World Cup?," 16 June 2018
President Donald Trump has approved tariffs on Chinese goods worth about $50 billion, said a person familiar with the decision, ratcheting up a confrontation on trade that’s set to prompt retaliation from Beijing.

— justin sink, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Approves Tariffs on $50 Billion of Chinese Goods," 15 June 2018
Powell stated during the conference that beginning in 2019, the Fed will hold briefings after ever policy decision, rather than quarterly.

— jonathan sperling, Fortune, "Fed Chairman Jerome Powell Praises Economy After Vote to Raise Interest Rates," 14 June 2018
Dunn's attorney is appealing that decision, which could take months. ...

— keith bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "Why did Ohio man hold woman captive in Blanchester shed? An imaginary prostitution ring.," 14 June 2018
Hafsat Abiola-Costello, one of Abiola's daughters and an activist herself, lauded Buhari's decision, saying she was told by her late mother that her father was rehearsing his victory speech when the results were annulled.

— bukola adebayo, CNN, "Nigeria's Buhari says sorry for presidential election annulled 25 years ago," 14 June 2018
The pivotal moment of separation between reality and alternate history came with Napoleon’s decision in Russia, with the alternate version having him push on rather than retreating.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "What if Napoleon Hadn’t Lost Europe and Other Questions of Alternate History," 14 June 2018
Wednesday’s decision by the Election Commission blocks the Milli Muslim League party from taking part in the July 25 vote when citizens will elect members to the National Assembly and four provincial legislatures.

— Washington Post, "Pakistan refuses to allow Islamist party to enter elections," 14 June 2018
Using well-being indicators, the government made policy decisions, including unifying Scotland’s eight police forces into one.

— rebecca asoulin, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why the happiest countries are not always the wealthiest ones," 14 June 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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