Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Discretion has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
freedom to act or judge on one's own
"The manager was granted full discretion to allocate the bonus funds as she saw fit."
knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
"the servants showed great tact and discretion"
refined taste; tact
"Her discretion was evident in how she chose her words to avoid offending anyone at the dinner party."
the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
"The judge exercised his discretion to grant a rare pardon without consulting the government or public opinion."
The quality of being discreet or circumspect.
"She showed great discretion by keeping her personal affairs private from prying eyes."
In plain English: Discretion is the ability to make careful decisions based on what you think is right rather than following strict rules blindly.
"You should use your discretion when deciding whether to share that information with others."
Usage: Use discretion to describe your ability to make sound judgments in specific situations, such as deciding when it is appropriate to share private information. This noun differs from the adjective discreet, which refers specifically to behaving carefully so as not to attract attention.
The word comes from the Latin discerno, meaning "to separate" or "distinguish," and entered English via Old French as a noun denoting careful judgment. It traveled into Middle English with this same sense of discernment, eventually becoming the modern term for prudence and tact.