Decision-Making: Hyphenation
For the noun meaning the process of making decisions, Merriam-Webster gives the headword “decision-making” with a hyphen and notes its use before another noun. That supports the hyphenated form when naming the process or using it attributively.
Use “decision-making” for the noun meaning the process of deciding and in ordinary attributive uses such as “decision-making process.”
Key details
Further guidance
Before Noun
The same hyphenated form is standard in combinations such as “decision-making process” or “decision-making authority.”
Noun Use
Use “decision-making” when the expression names the process or activity of making decisions.
Syntax Boundary
Do not turn the entry into a claim that every adjacent occurrence of the words “decision” and “making” must always form this compound; sentence structure still matters.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Decision-making — Definition & Meaning (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Dictionary headword and grammatical treatment of the noun “decision-making”