1
: a proclamation having the force of law
2
: order, command
we held firm to Grandmother's edictM. F. K. Fisher
edictal adjective

Did you know?

Edicts are few and far between in a democracy, since very few important laws can be made by a president or prime minister acting alone. But when a crisis arose in the Roman Republic, the senate would appoint a dictator, who would have the power to rule by edict. The idea was that the dictator could make decisions quickly, issuing his edicts faster than the senate could act. When the crisis was over, the edicts were canceled and the dictator usually retired from public life. Things are different today: dictators almost always install themselves in power, and they never give it up.

Examples of edict in a Sentence

The government issued an edict banning public demonstrations. the school board's edict put a new student dress code into effect
Recent Examples on the Web The Florida city announced detailed plans that include a list of restrictions on beaches – although nothing as drastic as Miami Beach's edicts – such as prohibiting alcohol, coolers, live and/or amplified music, electric scooters and tents on beaches. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024 One of them defies his edict to stay out of Annabelle's bedroom. Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2023 Unsurprisingly, the edict has outraged many folks in the 5.71-square-mile burgh. Samuel Braslow, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024 Using these pamphlets, along with trial documents, edicts and other contemporary diaries, historian Bradford Bouley explores the context of this unusual story of cannibalism, the veracity of the sources, and the meaning of meat and the ways it was produced in early modern Rome. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024 With young people disengaging from society by edict and then choice, there’s been a reduction in venues where recruiters can make their case and press business cards on the interested, the unsuspecting, and the polite. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 With his ruling Fidesz party entrenched in power, the Hungarian prime minister has used his platform to inveigh against E.U. edicts and wave the flag of right-wing culture war on the continent. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 Owner ignoring Majestic edicts Built in 1923 in Pittsburgh, the Majestic came to Downtown’s Public Landing in 1967 when the city of Cincinnati became her owner. The Enquirer, 1 Jan. 2024 Last year, however, under former chief Chris Licht, the network issued an edict that drinking on camera would not be allowed. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 11 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin edictum, from neuter of edictus, past participle of edicere to decree, from e- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of edict was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near edict

Cite this Entry

“Edict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edict. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

edict

noun
: a law or order made or given by an authority (as a ruler)
edictal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on edict

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