discretion

[ dih-skresh-uhn ]
/ dɪˈskrɛʃ ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR discretion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice: It is entirely within my discretion whether I will go or stay.
the quality of being discreet, especially with reference to one's own actions or speech; prudence or decorum: Throwing all discretion to the winds, he blurted out the truth.

Idioms for discretion

    at discretion, at one's option or pleasure: They were allowed to work overtime at discretion.

Origin of discretion

1250–1300; Middle English discrecioun < Anglo-French < Late Latin discrētiōn- (stem of discrētiō). See discreet, -ion

Words nearby discretion

discreet, discrepancy, discrepant, discrete, discrete variable, discretion, discretion is the better part of valor, discretional, discretionary, discretionary account, discretionary trust

Words related to discretion

prudence, attention, tact, wisdom, foresight, maturity, responsibility, vigilance, wariness, gumption, deliberation, diplomacy, calculation, warning, sense, watchfulness, thoughtfulness, acumen, circumspection, discrimination

Example sentences from the Web for discretion

British Dictionary definitions for discretion

discretion
/ (dɪˈskrɛʃən) /

noun

the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit (esp in the phrases at one's own discretion, at the discretion of)
age of discretion or years of discretion the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his own affairs

Idioms and Phrases with discretion

discretion