From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdiscretiondi‧scre‧tion /dɪˈskreʃən/ ●○○ AWL noun [uncountable] 1 DECIDEthe ability and right to decide exactly what should be done in a particular situationat somebody’s discretion (=according to someone’s decision) The awards are made at the discretion of the committee. Promotions are left to the discretion of the supervisor.discretion over/as to People want to have more discretion over their working hours.use/exercise your discretion The judge exercised his discretion rightly to admit the evidence.discretion to do something The committee has the absolute discretion to refuse applications.2 SECRETthe ability to deal with situations in a way that does not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell any of their secrets → indiscretion British newspapers no longer feel they must treat the royal family with discretion.3 → discretion is the better part of valour
Examples from the Corpus
discretion• Absolute discretion is required from everyone working for the Royal Family.• The governors will often give the chairman discretion to act on their behalf.• Can junior managers be trusted to exercise discretion when making decisions?• So the court has full discretion over litigation costs incurred in proceedings between mortgagor and mortgagee.• TV commentators have shown great discretion, glossing over the problems in her personal life.• The president could use his constitutional powers to move troops about at his discretion.• The hotel has built a reputation on its discretion for the past 25 years.• It concerns the whole matter of judicial control over ministerial discretion.• Kasich said children might better be served through streamlining Medicaid and giving governors more discretion on coverage.• You can tell Martin anything -- he's the very soul of discretion.• Latecomers are admitted at the discretion of the manager.• I leave it to your discretion as to whether you should tell your colleagues.discretion to do something• In this case I am satisfied that Booth J. did have a discretion to take into account the interests of the children.• S 91 of the Law of Property Act 1925 gives the Court discretion to order the sale of a mortgaged property.• It was also within the Special Commissioner's discretion to exclude opinion evidence that sought to answer the question before him.• This relief is mandatory, and charging authorities have the discretion to increase this relief.• The court said federal officials have the discretion to decide whether an adjustment is needed.• What is unfair can not sensibly be subject to different standards depending on the source of the discretion to exclude it.• Any such tribunal does however possess the discretion to allow the individual to be assisted by such an adviser. 4.• Moderators may request, in borderline cases, and otherwise at their discretion to see student's marked coursework assignments.From Longman Business Dictionarydiscretiondi‧scre‧tion /dɪˈskreʃən/ noun [uncountable] the ability, right, or freedom that someone has to take decisions in a particular situationThe licensee is supposed to have complete discretion over how the station is operated.People want to have more discretion over their working hours.at somebody’s discretionYour overdraft may be increased at the discretion of the bank.discretion toThe Commission has the discretion to conduct an investigation. 