consent decree

noun

: a judicial decree that sanctions a voluntary agreement between parties in dispute

Examples of consent decree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The investigation was sparked by concerns that Southern Coal was doctoring water testing reports required under a longstanding consent decree with the Justice Department and several states, one of the sources said. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 17 June 2026 Last week, during a status hearing in the city’s ongoing consent decree, police Superintendent Larry Snelling again defended Chicago Police Department officers’ work to maintain a sense of safety and order. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 The scandal led to prosecutions and convictions of some officers, and a federal consent decree that mandated reforms. Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 By December 2024, the city and the DOJ announced the details of a court agreement, known as a consent decree, that would set requirements for improvements and be overseen by an outside monitor and a judge. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for consent decree

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consent decree was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consent decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consent%20decree. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

Legal Definition

consent decree

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