decide — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Synonyms

   choosedeterminepickelect

   Examples

   The election will be decided on foreign policies.

   It was decided to meet here at midnight.

   More examples (3)

   Her last-minute goal decided the game.

   The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; / Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

   I did not see the program, but Mrs. Nixon told me that you were great on the Donahue Show. As you can imagine, she is an expert on politics and she predicts that whenever you decide to run for office you will be a winner!

2. To make a judgment, especially after deliberation.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   judgemake up one's mind

   Examples

   You must decide between good and evil.

   I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.

   More examples (2)

   So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

   Since this cowl released a flutter of moths and parted at the shoulder as he was getting into it, he decided that it must be his own.

3. To cause someone to come to a decision.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Your admonition decided me against my intended course of action.

   It decides me to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone's while to take so much trouble, there must be something in it.

4. Of a Turing machine: to return a correct answer (for some yes-or-no problem) on every possible input.

   Examples

   No Turing Machine can decide the halting problem.

   First, the hierarchy theorems tell us that a Turing machine can decide more languages in EXPSPACE than it can in PSPACE.

5. To cut off; to separate.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Synonyms

   divorceseversunder

   Examples

   Our seat denies us traffic here; / The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

Verb

1. reach, make, or come to a decision about something

   Synonyms

   make up one's minddetermine

   Broader terms

   thinkcogitatecerebrate

   Examples

   We finally decided after lengthy deliberations

2. bring to an end; settle conclusively

   Synonyms

   settleresolveadjudicate

   Broader terms

   endterminate

   Examples

   The case was decided

   The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff

   More examples (1)

   The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance

3. cause to decide

   Broader terms

   inducestimulatecausehavegetmake

   Examples

   This new development finally decided me!

4. influence or determine

   Broader terms

   determineshapemoldinfluenceregulatemould

   Examples

   The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election