Decision
dɪˈsɪʒən
Definitions
2 meaningsA choice or judgment that you make after thinking about different possibilities.
dɪˈsɪʒən
A conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.
The committee reached a decision after hours of deliberation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're choosing between two ice cream flavors. A decision is when you pick one! For example, you could make a decision between chocolate and vanilla.
👶 For kids: When you pick something, like if you choose a toy. It's a decision!
More Examples
It was a difficult decision, but she ultimately chose to move to a new city.
The company's decision to expand its operations was met with mixed reactions.
How It's Used
"The board of directors made a crucial decision regarding the company's future."
"The judge's decision was based on the evidence presented."
"I made a decision to start exercising regularly."
The act or process of coming to a judgment or making up your mind.
dɪˈsɪʒən
The act or process of deciding something.
The decision-making process involved careful analysis of the available data.
💡 Simply: It's like the thinking and steps you take to decide something. Not just the final choice but the whole process!
👶 For kids: How you think to choose something.
More Examples
She was praised for her efficient decision-making skills.
The committee needed to improve their decision-making process to be more efficient.
How It's Used
"Decision-making is a complex cognitive process."
"The government's decision-making process is often scrutinized by the media."
Idioms & expressions
split decision
A result in a competition (especially boxing) where the judges' scores are divided, meaning some favor one competitor and some the other.
"The boxing match ended in a split decision."
make a decision
To reach a conclusion or choose between options.
"I need to make a decision about whether to accept the job offer."
From Middle English *decisioun*, from Old French decision or directly from Latin *dēcīsiō* (“a cutting off, decision”), from past participle stem of *dēcīdō* (“to cut off, decide”), from *dē-* (“down, off”) + *caedō* (“to cut”).
The word 'decision' has been used since the 14th century, evolving from legal and religious contexts to encompass a broader range of choices.
Memory tip
Think of the 'de-' (down/off) and '-cision' (cut) -- Cutting off all other possibilities to arrive at a choice.