Discretion is the power or right to decide or act according to ones own judgment or choice. It is the ability to behave without causing embarrassment or attracting too much attention, especially by keeping information secret. Discretion can also refer to the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment, especially cautious reserve in speech.

In law, discretion is the power of a judge, public official, or private party to act according to the dictates of their own judgment and conscience within general legal principles. For example, a judge may have discretion over the amount of a fine, and a prosecutor may have discretion when prosecuting a criminal case. However, discretion is abused when the judicial action is arbitrary, fanciful, or unreasonable.

Discretion can also be used in everyday situations. For instance, each artist in a gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for their work. The coach used his own discretion to let the injured quarterback play.

In summary, discretion is the ability to make decisions based on ones own judgment or choice, and it can be applied in various contexts, including law and everyday situations.