decision

A choice you make after thinking about what to do.

• I made a decision to stay.
• It was a difficult decision for her.
• Have you changed your decision?

How to use it: a decision to do something (Their decision to move surprised us.); a decision about/on something (We need a decision about the holiday.)

Similar words: choice

Common phrases: make a decision, decision to leave, difficult decision, court decision

An official choice made by a group after discussion.

• The committee announced its decision.
• We recorded the board’s decision in the minutes.
• The council’s decision means the school will stay open.

How to use it: a decision on/about something (The board reached a decision on staff pay.)

Similar words: resolution, ruling

Common phrases: committee decision, unanimous decision, decision on something

A result chosen by judges when a contest ends without a clear winner.

• She won the fight by decision.
• The judges gave him a unanimous decision.
• A split decision ended the closely fought match.

How to use it: by decision (The boxer won by decision after ten rounds.)

Similar words: points verdict

Common phrases: win by decision, split decision, unanimous decision