option

noun

/ˈɒp.ʃən/

/ˈɑːp-/

Definition

B1 [C or U] one thing that can be chosen from a set of possibilities, or the freedom to make a choice: The best option would be to cancel the trip altogether. There are various options open to someone who is willing to work hard. They didn't leave him much option - either he paid or they'd beat him up.Taking and choosing › [C] specialized the right to buy something in the future: a share option The publishers decided not to take up their option on the paperback version.Financial investments and the stock market have no option (but to do something) C1 to have to do a particular thing because there is no possibility of doing anything else: After her appalling behaviour, we had no option but to dismiss her.Lack of freedom to act

(Definition of option noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)