decision
/dɪˈsɪʒn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɪʒn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsi-zhən/ (ame, mw)
decision — noun
- decisionsingular
- decisionsplural
1. a conclusion you reach after thinking about the different options you have and c
a conclusion you reach after thinking about the different options you have and choosing among them
Layla's decision to study medicine surprised her entire family at the dinner table.
decision + to-infinitive
The committee reached a decision after three hours of heated debate among the members.
collocation: reach a decision
It was a difficult decision, but the board chose to close the old factory.
Dewi's decision to quit her banking job and start a bakery in Jakarta surprised everyone at her farewell party.
- choice
more general; decision implies more thought and consequence
- resolution
more formal, often a formal statement voted on by a group
- determination
stronger sense of firmness; can also mean the act of deciding
文法句型
decision + to-infinitive
make/reach + decision
常見錯誤
2. the ability to make choices quickly and firmly, without hesitating because of do
the ability to make choices quickly and firmly, without hesitating because of doubt or uncertainty
Commander Ziad earned his platoon's respect for his swift decision when enemy fire trapped the convoy.
swift decision (collocation with concrete scenario)
Her lack of decision cost the company a valuable business opportunity in Asia.
collocation: lack of decision
A good manager needs quick decision when problems arise on the factory floor.
Tara showed great decision by choosing a supplier within twenty minutes.
- decisiveness
more common in modern English; decision (sense 2) is slightly more formal
- resolve
emphasises strength of purpose rather than speed of choosing
- determination
focuses on persistence, not on speed of decision-making
- indecision
the inability to make choices; the opposite of decisiveness
文法句型
show + decision
lack of + decision
用法筆記
This uncountable sense is used mainly in formal or written contexts. In everyday speech, 'decisiveness' is more common.
3. in combat sports like boxing, a result that is decided by adding up the scores g
in combat sports like boxing, a result that is decided by adding up the scores given by the judges rather than by knocking the opponent down
The champion retained his title by a unanimous decision after twelve rounds.
collocation: unanimous decision
Many fans in the arena booed when the fight ended in a split decision.
collocation: split decision
Tunde won the match by a close decision from all three judges.
The referee raised the winner's hand as the judges announced their final decision.
- points victory
emphasises the scoring method rather than the judges' role
- knockout
a win by physically putting the opponent down rather than by judges' scores
文法句型
by + decision
unanimous/split + decision
用法筆記
Common types of judge decisions in boxing: 'unanimous decision' (all judges agree on the winner), 'split decision' (two judges favour one fighter, one favours the other), and 'majority decision' (two judges agree, one scores a draw).
4. in baseball, a statistic that records for a pitcher either a winning outcome or
in baseball, a statistic that records for a pitcher either a winning outcome or a losing one, determined by the team's results while that pitcher is on the mound
The starting pitcher earned the decision after seven strong innings on the mound.
collocation: earn the decision
Christopher got a no-decision because he left the game with the score tied.
collocation: no-decision
The official scorer gave the win decision to the relief pitcher in the eighth inning.
Imani pitched seven scoreless innings for the Seoul Lions on Thursday and earned the win decision.
文法句型
earn + decision
get + no-decision
用法筆記
If a pitcher leaves the game before the opposing team takes the lead or ties the game, and that pitcher's team is ahead at the time of departure, he or she may earn a 'win'. If the team loses while that pitcher was responsible, it is a 'loss'. If neither condition clearly applies, the pitcher gets a 'no-decision'.
5. the mental activity of making a choice, including the thinking and weighing of o
the mental activity of making a choice, including the thinking and weighing of options that lead to a conclusion
The board's decision about whether to accept the takeover offer required weeks of careful analysis.
decision + about whether to (process-focused)
Sana spent months comparing salaries, climates, and school systems before making her decision about emigrating.
emphasises weighing options, not the final choice
The decision over how to allocate the community fund went through public hearings in all five districts.
Speed of decision can save lives in an emergency room when time is limited.
- decision-making
a compound noun that more clearly describes the process; less formal
- resolution
can mean the act of resolving, but usually implies the final outcome
文法句型
decision + of + whether-clause
involved in + decision
用法筆記
This sense refers to the process of deciding (roughly equivalent to 'decision-making'), not the choice itself. Distinguish from sense 1, where 'decision' means the specific choice reached.
decision — verb
- decisionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- decisions3rd person singular
- decisioning-ing form
- decisionedpast simple
1. to defeat an opponent in a boxing match or other contest by receiving more point
to defeat an opponent in a boxing match or other contest by receiving more points from the judges than they do
The young boxer decisioned the veteran champion over ten close rounds last night.
transitive: decision + opponent
Mayumi decisioned her opponent in the judo final with a clear points margin.
The referee confirmed that Adina had decisioned her rival by three points.
Imran decisioned three opponents in one night to win the middleweight tournament.
- outpoint
more common and less sport-journalism-specific; means the same thing
- beat on points
less formal, used in spoken commentary
- knock out
to defeat an opponent by a knockout rather than on points
文法句型
decision + opponent
用法筆記
This verb is used almost exclusively in sports journalism and commentary. In everyday conversation, 'beat on points' or 'outpoint' is more common.