executive order

noun

: regulation sense 2b

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Siebel Newsom was there to watch Newsom sign an executive order that was driven by her work as an advocate for survivors of trafficking. — Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Washington responded by turning its assurance into a formal guarantee, though one signed as an executive order a successor can revoke. — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

But in recent months his fixation has moved from executive nominee litmus tests and executive orders reinforcing proof of citizenship to vote into legislation – dragging Congress into the fray. — Washington Post, 18 July 2026

Federal judges blocked parts of an executive order that purported to instruct states not to accept mail-in ballots after Election Day and to require proof of citizenship. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive order

• boarder
• border
• corder
• warder
• camcorder
• disorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Legal Definition

executive order

noun

: an order issued by a government's executive on the basis of authority specifically granted to the executive branch (as by the U.S. Constitution or a congressional act)

the National Security Agency was created by an executive order

compare proclamation, statute

Note: An executive order from the president does not have the force of law until it is printed in the Federal Register.