decorum
noun
de·co·rum
di-ˈkȯr-əm 
1
2
: propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
strict in her notions of decorum—
Jane Austen
Jane Austen3
: orderliness
the organization's decorum has rarely been shaken—W. F. Longgood
W. F. Longgood4
decorums plural
: the conventions of polite behavior
the established sobrieties and decorums of English life—H. G. Wells
H. G. WellsExamples of decorum in a Sentence
He has no sense of decorum.
high standards of decorum are usually required when attending the opera
Recent Examples on the Web
With the shocking exception of the attack on Mr. Rushdie, a certain sense of decorum is still observed at even the most contentious lectures.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Like it or not the old standards of decorum, demeanor are long gone in all walks of life — sports, media, entertainment, politics.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
In other words, local politics is personal, and the proximity of the candidates to one another — and their constituents — usually breeds a healthy dose of decorum and respect.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
He was asked by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to maintain decorum but was later removed from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorum
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Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Like it or not the old standards of decorum, demeanor are long gone in all walks of life — sports, media, entertainment, politics.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025
In other words, local politics is personal, and the proximity of the candidates to one another — and their constituents — usually breeds a healthy dose of decorum and respect.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
He was asked by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to maintain decorum but was later removed from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorum
Cite this Entry
“Decorum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decorum. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decorum
noun
de·co·rum
di-ˈkōr-əm
-ˈkȯr-
1
: agreement with accepted standards of conduct : proper behavior
social decorum
2
: the state or condition of being calm, orderly, and well-regulated
the decorum of the meeting
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