Definition of de facto
: in reality : actually became the leader de facto
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of de facto
Medieval Latin, literally, from the fact
First Known Use: 1601
de facto
Definition of de facto
1 : actual; especially : being such in effect though not formally recognized a de facto state of war Whatever it says on the calendar, Florida has de facto summer. — E. L. Konigsburg has become the movement's de facto spokesperson
2 : exercising power as if legally constituted a de facto government the de facto head of state
3 : resulting from economic or social factors rather than from laws or actions of the state de facto segregation
Examples of de facto in a Sentence
with the death of his father, he became the de facto head of the family
Origin and Etymology of de facto
see 1de facto
First Known Use: circa 1689
Other Legal Terms
Law Dictionary
Origin and Etymology of de facto
Medieval Latin, literally, from the fact
de facto
Legal Definition of de facto
1 : actual; especially : being such in effect though not formally recognized — see also de facto segregation at segregation
2 : exercising power as if legally constituted or authorized a de facto government a de facto judge — compare de jure
Learn More about de facto
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for de facto Nglish: Translation of de facto for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of de facto for Arabic speakers
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