split decision

American

noun

Boxing.

a decision of a bout on whose outcome the referee and judges did not unanimously agree.

split decision British

noun

boxing the award of a fight on a majority verdict of the judges as opposed to a unanimous decision

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of split decision

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a split decision, the appeals panel upheld his nullification of leases to Brentwood and Safety Park Corp. but reversed his ruling on UCLA, which was based on a different law.

From Los Angeles Times

The first lawsuit yielded a split decision this year, with the government winning some legal points and the company largely prevailing on tax calculations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paul has 12 wins and one loss in his professional boxing career - that defeat coming against Fury's brother Tommy by split decision in 2023.

From BBC

Fury beat Paul by split decision in 2023 in a lucrative bout and while his ambitions are to establish himself as a top contender at cruiserweight, he is not ruling out more crossover fights.

From BBC

The Ukrainian won their first encounter in May 2024 by split decision to become the heavyweight division's first undisputed four-belt champion.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023