plural decisions
1
: a choice that you make about something after thinking about it : the result of deciding
She announced her decision to go to medical school.
a big/controversial/final decision
Have you made/reached a decision?
After weeks of deliberation, he finally came to a decision. = After weeks of deliberation, he finally arrived at a decision.
He based his decision on facts, not emotions.
She made a conscious decision to leave the painting unfinished.
(Brit) The government has taken a decision to withdraw all troops. [=the government has made an important and official decision to withdraw all troops]
an informed decision [=a decision based on facts or information]
a split-second decision [=a decision that must be made in an instant]
Note: In informal spoken English, someone who says "Decisions, decisions " is having difficulty making a decision, usually about an unimportant matter.
2
formal
: the ability to make choices quickly and confidently
a leader of courage and decision [=decisiveness]
We need someone who will act with decision even under pressure.
3
a
: the particular end of a legal or official argument : a legal or official judgment
The U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 decision brought an end to racial segregation in public schools.
The Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision. [=five members of the court voted one way, and the other four members voted the opposite way, and the side with the five votes won]
The appeals court upheld the decision. [=the appeals court agreed with the decision made earlier by a lower court]
The appeals court overturned the decision. [=the appeals court disagreed with the decision made earlier by a lower court]
b
: a report explaining why a legal or official judgment was made in a particular way
the court's ten-page decision
4
: the act of deciding something
The moment of decision has come. You must decide.
The judge has the power of decision. [=the judge has the power to make the decision]
Cite this Entry
“Decision.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/decision. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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