# decider

/ˌdɪˈsaɪdɝ/ (US) · /dɪsˈaɪdɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decider
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the final event or moment that decides the winner of a competition. It is the last thing that happens when a game or race is tied.

For teachers: the final event or factor that determines the outcome of a competition or contest. Often used in sports to describe a sudden-death match or a final point.

## Examples

- The final set was the decider in the tennis match.
- After the score was tied at the end of regulation time, the coach called for the decider to settle the championship.
- In many high-stakes tournaments, the decider is not just a single point but a series of high-pressure plays that test the mental fortitude of the athletes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.