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

Convince the city’s powers to consult with advisers and decision-makers with deep roots in the neighborhoods — community leaders, organizers, educators and art-makers. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

Karahan’s connection with prominent construction executive Michael Sinacola eventually got him in front of real estate decision-makers for Electronic Data Systems. —Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026

All of this is receiving a skeptical reception from a rival and more senior decision-maker, Sony’s Tom Rothman, who urges his brethren to focus more on institutional problems than film titles or genre. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026

Remote diagnostics are a lifeline for IT managers, but simply collecting data on system behavior over time can guide future purchasing decisions and help IT buyers and decision-makers avoid past equipment-acquisition mistakes. —John Burek, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 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