de facto

adverb

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de fac·to | \ di-ˈfak-(ˌ)tō

, dā-, dē- \

Definition of de facto

(Entry 1 of 2)

: in reality : actually became the leader de facto

de facto

adjective

Definition of de facto (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About de facto

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Examples of de facto in a Sentence

Adjective with the death of his father, he became the de facto head of the family

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Taiwan is chiefly concerned with shoring up its de facto independent status while maintaining economic links with China and avoiding a military clash. — David Rising, ajc, 9 Oct. 2021 First Lady Edith Wilson served as de facto president and conspired with her husband’s staff to conceal his incapacity. — Deroy Murdock, National Review, 8 Oct. 2021 Too often, our kids become de facto therapists for one another with no loving, reliable adult available to serve as an ally or guide through the morass of images and information offered on Instagram. — John Duffy, CNN, 5 Oct. 2021 When the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996 to become the Ravens, Newsome came with them as the team’s vice president of player personnel and de facto general manager. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 4 June 2021 Brad Stevens had served as a de facto assistant general manager over his eight seasons as coach, gaining a level of comfort and responsibility as time passed. — BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2021 Duke Tobin, the Bengals de facto general manager, did it again. — Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 9 Mar. 2021 As the de facto manager of Donhauser Florist, an Astoria flower shop opened by her great-great-grandfather in 1889, Ms. Gray is used to brokering transactions of affection through bouquets. — New York Times, 17 Feb. 2021 It was soon revealed who the buyer was: Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and de facto ruler. — BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'de facto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.