Discretion Definition

dĭ-skrĕshən
noun
The quality of being discreet, or careful about what one does and says; prudence.
Webster's New World
The freedom or authority to make decisions and choices; power to judge or act.
Webster's New World
The ability or power to discern what is responsible or socially appropriate.
American Heritage
The action or power of discerning; judgment.
Webster's New World
The freedom of choice and of action of a judge, prosecutor, or other public official, within the defined scope of his or her responsibilities. For example, in a criminal matter a judge may have wide discretion to release the defendant on recognizance or to demand bail in any amount, based on the judge’s view of the defendant as a flight risk.
Webster's New World Law

Other Word Forms of Discretion

Noun

Singular:
discretion
Plural:
discretions

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Discretion

  • at one's discretion

Origin of Discretion

  • From Old French discrecion, from Late Latin discretio

    From Wiktionary

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