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 City directors were scheduled to make a final decision Tuesday night about whether to send the package to voters for their approval of a July 13 special election. — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, "Little Rock mayor delays vote on sales-tax proposal," 5 May 2021 What's taking Larry Fitzgerald so long to make a decision? — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "Valley Christian's Bagel LaGatta seeks titles in 2 sports to finish high school career," 5 May 2021 In other words, Facebook has six months to get its act together and make a coherent decision, at which point the case may well be referred back to the Oversight Board. — Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, "Trump Remains Banned, for Now, but the Problem with Facebook Is Still Facebook," 5 May 2021 Plus Facebook is expected to make a decision on former President Donald Trump's social media future. — Petra Cahill, NBC News, "Hope for herd immunity, Facebook to make Trump call, India's diaspora called to action: Wednesday's top stories," 5 May 2021 Lowe says the purpose of an invitation is to make a decision. — Elise Brisco, USA TODAY, "Your social life is booming again. Experts say 'take baby steps' as you start to see people.," 5 May 2021 The state Supreme Court typically takes two to four months to make a decision on whether to hear a case. — Daphne Chen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Business lobby asks state Supreme Court to hear case over COVID data," 4 May 2021 This confusion carried over to her inability to make a decision. — Leslie Anne Tarabella, al, "Mom’s worn out, bless her heart," 4 May 2021 The court is expected to make a decision next week. — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, "Justice Department objects to National Rifle Association's bankruptcy plan," 4 May 2021 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, "Facebook Oversight Board permanently bans Trump from the platform," 6 May 2021 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

8 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Decision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decision. Accessed 9 May. 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.