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 doctrine calls for the use of rapid and disproportionate force in order to establish deterrence, place pressure on decision-makers, and minimize the period of combat. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Bumila has drawn tons of attention from scouts across the sport, and Red Sox amateur scouting director Jake Bruml was among the horde of top decision-makers who watched him in person this past spring. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

In the same firm's 2026 security survey, 49% of security decision-makers flagged agentic AI as a concern. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The two new roles plus Director of Programmes will report to Dogra, effectively meaning Channel 4 now has a trio of decision-makers at the top commissioning table. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 July 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