decision-maker

noun

de·​ci·​sion-mak·​er di-ˈsi-zhən-ˌmā-kər 

variants or less commonly decision maker

plural decision-makers also decision makers

: someone who is known or primarily responsible for making decisions

a good decision-maker

one of the company's key/top decision makers

However, this does not permit corrections personnel or a warden to automatically assume the role of the patient's medical decision-maker.

—Erik Larsen and Katherine Drabiak

Examples of decision-maker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Appoint someone from each department to formally review new ideas for submission to the company’s decision-makers. 6. —Ray Titus, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Klein championed expert fast decision-makers like firefighters and nurses. —Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Adrian Perica, the company’s head of mergers and acquisitions, has weighed the idea with services chief Eddy Cue and top AI decision-makers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. —Sara Braun, Fortune, 21 June 2025

The uncertainty of President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy hasn’t just paralyzed retail decision-makers, but the supply chain. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decision-maker

• policymaker
• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker