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.
District 171 Superintendent Erika Millhouse-Pettis said, as of Friday, the union had not made the district aware of the consent decree reached with the EEOC. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 The Louisiana consent decree was lifted on April 29. Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025 Fort Smith entered into the consent decree with the Justice Department, the EPA and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality in 2015. Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2025 Since 1993, a separate jail in Auburn has been under federal consent decree and must release inmates after a certain capacity is reached. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Consent decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consent%20decree. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

consent decree

see decree

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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