decide Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb reach, make, or come to a decision about something
    make up one's mind; determine.
    • We finally decided after lengthy deliberations
  2. verb bring to an end; settle conclusively
    settle; resolve; adjudicate.
    • The case was decided
    • The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff
    • The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance
  3. verb cause to decide
    • This new development finally decided me!
  4. verb influence or determine
    • The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election

WordNet

De*cide" transitive verb
Etymology
L. decidere; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. décider. Cf. Decision.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Decided; present participle & verbal noun Deciding
Definitions
  1. To cut off; to separate. Obs.
    Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near, decides us from the rest. Fuller.
  2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.
    So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. 1 Kings xx. 40.
    The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then. Shak.
De*cide" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant.
    Who shall decide, when doctors disagree? Pope.

Webster 1913