decree

noun de·cree \ di-ˈkrē \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of decree

1 : an order usually having the force of law

a judicial decree

by royal decree

2 a : a religious ordinance enacted by council or titular head

a papal decree

b : a foreordaining will

God's decree

3 a : a judicial decision of the Roman emperor

b : a judicial decision especially in an equity (see equity 3a) court or probate court

See decree defined for English-language learners

See decree defined for kids

Examples of decree in a Sentence

The President issued a decree making the day a national holiday.
Their marriage was annulled by judicial decree.

Recent Examples of decree from the Web

The International Olympic Committee decrees that male-to-female transgender athletes must undergo hormone therapy and demonstrate testosterone levels of below 10 nanomols per liter for at least one year leading up to and during competition.

— henry young, CNN, "Transgender weightlifter likely to retire after injury, eligibility debate ensues," 11 Apr. 2018
As part of the decree, an outside firm is supposed audit Facebook’s privacy practices every two years, but those reports are not made public.

— nitasha tiku, WIRED, "Why Facebook's 2011 Promises Haven't Protected Users," 11 Apr. 2018
The right to the insurance payment was awarded to the woman as part of their divorce decree, but the company had balked at making the payment before Nadeen help prove the woman was due the money.

— tim evans, Indianapolis Star, "IndyStar Call for Action tops $1 million with wins in hundreds of small -- and big -- cases," 8 Apr. 2018
That decree succeeded in erasing the Ba’athist state, but also gutted the country’s civil institutions, creating the power vacuum that groups like the Islamic State rushed to fill.

— rukmini callimachi, BostonGlobe.com, "How the Islamic State managed to govern," 5 Apr. 2018
This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.

— rochelle riley, Detroit Free Press, "Riley: To honor Martin Luther King, listen to his ENTIRE dream speech," 4 Apr. 2018
When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Isle of Dogs’," 12 Mar. 2018
The emergency decree followed a series of letters exchanged by the government and the Supreme Court, arguing whether last week's order was legal and whether the prisoners could be freed.

— Bloomberg.com, "Opposition Leader, Judges Arrested in Maldives Turmoil," 5 Feb. 2018
In 2011, Facebook agreed to a decree giving privacy protections to users' data on the network.

— USA TODAY, "The FTC now investigating Facebook possible data misuse," 26 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of decree

Middle English, from Anglo-French decré, from Latin decretum, from neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere to decide, from de- + cernere to sift, decide — more at certain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

decree Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

decree

verb

Definition of decree

decreed; decreeing

transitive verb

1 : to command or enjoin by or as if by decree

decree an amnesty

2 : to determine or order judicially

decree a punishment

intransitive verb

: ordain

—

decreer

play \-ˈkrē-ər\ noun

See decree defined for English-language learners

Examples of decree in a Sentence

The government decreed a national holiday.
The change was decreed by the President.
The City Council has decreed that all dogs must be kept on a leash.

Recent Examples of decree from the Web

Excessive and unusual speed in relation to receiving, decreeing, and executing the eviction order.

— Washington Post, "Letter to Panama’s president from Trump Organization lawyers," 9 Apr. 2018
Rihanna and Bella Hadid wear them all the time, and Kanye has officially decreed that big frames are over.

— indya brown, The Cut, "Your Guide to the New Tiny Sunglasses," 12 Mar. 2018
The avatar name is appropriate because Wade/Parzival is primed to win a contest designed by the late Halliday, who decreed that his entire fortune and total control of the OASIS would go to whoever solves a three-part treasure hunt.

— peter rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Ready Player One' is a movie at odds with itself," 29 Mar. 2018
Public health risk: The latest is pornography, the House and Senate decreed (HCR 50).

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "See how Idaho lawmakers helped you or hurt you in 2018 | Idaho Statesman," 23 Mar. 2018
For the private sector, Mr. Macron has already decreed more-flexible labor laws and slashed taxes that weigh on investment.

— william horobin, WSJ, "French Labor Strikes Pose a Test to Macron’s Overhauls," 22 Mar. 2018
More than four decades ago, the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown decreed that public employees have the right to have unions bargain salaries and other working conditions.

— dan walters, San Francisco Chronicle, "Legislature’s rule: Do as we say, not as we do," 16 Mar. 2018
In Rio, violence has risen and weeks ago, the federal government decreed that Brazil's army would take over all security operations through the end of the year to tackle that problem.

— joe sterling and bijan hosseini, CNN, "Brazilians mourn slain politician and demand justice for her death," 16 Mar. 2018
The assembly has decreed that only parties that took part in the previous election will be eligible.

— patricia mazzei, New York Times, "U.S. Sanctions Four More Venezuela Officials," 5 Jan. 2018

Origin and Etymology of decree

see ¹decree

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

decree Synonyms

Synonyms

call, command, dictate, direct, mandate, ordain, order;

Near Antonyms

cancel, countermand, rescind;

Related Words

ask, petition, request;

demand, require;

Phrases

call for;

DECREE Defined for English Language Learners

decree

noun

Definition of decree for English Language Learners

: an official order given by a person with power or by a government
: an official decision made by a court of law

decree

verb

Definition of decree for English Language Learners

: to order or decide (something) in an official way

DECREE Defined for Kids

decree

noun de·cree \ di-ˈkrē \

Definition of decree for Students

: an order or decision given by a person or group in authority

decree

verb

Definition of decree for Students

decreed; decreeing

: to give an order as an authority

Mom decreed that it was bedtime.

Law Dictionary

decree

noun de·cree \ di-ˈkrē \

legal Definition of decree

1 : an order having the force of law

by judicial decree

2 : a judicial decision especially in an equity or probate court; broadly : judgment

divorce decree

interlocutory decree

— consent decree

: a decree entered by a court that is determined by the parties' agreement : a settlement between the parties that is subject to judicial approval and supervision; specifically : such a decree by which the accused agrees to cease alleged illegal activities without admitting guilt

— decree nisi decrees nisi

: a provisional decree that will become final unless cause is shown why it should not

Note: Some states grant divorces using decrees nisi. The decree nisi creates a time period (as of 3 months) allowing for possible reconciliation or for completion of various arrangements (as custody).

— decree pro confesso

: a decree entered by a court based on a defendant's default and the presumption that the allegations are confessed — compare default judgment at judgment 1a

— final decree

: a decree that disposes of an action by determining all matters in dispute including especially the parties' rights — compare final judgment at judgment 1a

— interlocutory decree

: a decree that is made during the course of an action and that does not settle all matters in dispute

—

decree

verb

Origin and Etymology of decree

Old French decré, from Latin decretum, from neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere to decide

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decree

Definition of decree

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Origin and Etymology of decree

decree Synonyms

Synonyms

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Related Words

Other Legal Terms

decree

Definition of decree

decreer

Examples of decree in a Sentence

Recent Examples of decree from the Web

Origin and Etymology of decree

decree Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

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DECREE Defined for English Language Learners

decree

Definition of decree for English Language Learners

decree

Definition of decree for English Language Learners

DECREE Defined for Kids

decree

Definition of decree for Students

decree

Definition of decree for Students

Law Dictionary

decree

legal Definition of decree

decree

Origin and Etymology of decree

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