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

And Paton’s now entrenched as the Broncos’ primary front-office decision-maker for years to come, as Denver attempts to leap into a wide-open Super Bowl window. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 May 2026

But many of the Wall Street decision-makers who attended Semafor World Economy in April are sounding alarms. —Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

This team makes management decisions for this species, and its strategic plan, written in 2022, has scenarios developed to help decision-makers think through the possibilities. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2026

During the next few weeks the Dolphins’ decision-makers need to discover answers to questions about the rookies who will likely dictate the trajectory of the 2026 season. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

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