decision-maker

UK: dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkə | US: dɪˈsɪʒənˌmeɪkər

Definition

  1. n. a person or group responsible for making important choices or judgments

  2. n. (business/politics) an individual with authority to determine policies or strategies

Structure
decision <act of deciding>maker <one who creates>
Etymology

decision-maker = decision<act of deciding> + maker<one who creates>

  1. decision:

    • From Latin dēcīdere (to cut off, settle), via Old French decison.
    • Morpheme: decis<to cut> + ion<noun suffix>.

  2. maker:

    • From Old English macian (to create), Proto-Germanic makōną.
    • Morpheme: make<to create> + er<agent suffix>.

Etymology Origin:
The compound decision-maker emerged in the early 20th century, combining decision (rooted in the Latin idea of "cutting off" alternatives) with maker (an Old English term for a creator). The word reflects a logical blend of authority (decision) and agency (maker), originally used in organizational contexts to denote individuals who resolve uncertainties.

Examples

  1. The CEO is the primary decision-maker in the company.

  2. Democratic systems distribute power among multiple decision-makers.

  3. A good decision-maker weighs all options carefully.

  4. The committee appointed her as the final decision-maker.

  5. AI tools now assist human decision-makers in complex analyses.