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

The statewide cleanup day also serves as an important tool for tracking data on pollution that can be presented to decision-makers at the legislative levels. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025

Sometimes, decision-makers lack technical depth. —Asaf Darash, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Hoover has improved as a decision-maker, which helped TCU end last season with six wins in its final seven games. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2025

Don’t shy away from speaking up — you’re being called to step into your role as the diplomat and decision-maker. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 14 Sep. 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