decree

play

noun de·cree \ di-ˈkrē \

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 2a) 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 April 2016 decree was also introduced to help the government address a backlog of VAT reimbursements owed to mining companies that Nkono estimated at $700 million.

— william clowes, Bloomberg.com, "Congo Suspends Value-Added Tax on Mining Imports," 17 Aug. 2017
Gardendale, in its brief today, stated that there are only two on which a federal judge may stop a city from creating a school system separate from a county system that's still under a desegregation decree.

— kent faulk, AL.com, "Gardendale BOE to appeals court: No racial motive to form school system," 11 Aug. 2017
Miami-Dade County is currently under federal orders to clean up its aging sewage treatment system as part of a $1.6 billion consent decree approved by the courts in 2014.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Miami’s sewage is supposed to be pumped offshore but the pipe has sprung a leak," 31 July 2017
Macron hopes to outflank the unions, passing his reforms by presidential decree, with minimal involvement from the legislature, during the country’s prized summer vacation.

— noah daponte-smith, National Review, "Rooting for Macron," 19 July 2017
Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, signed a decree giving amnesty to 3,600 members of the FARC.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 13 July 2017
Three Lao citizens recently received long jail terms for violating a decree forbidding online criticism of the government or ruling party.

— The Economist, "Don’t say a wordHow powerful people use criminal-defamation laws to silence their critics," 13 July 2017
The consent decree filed this week provides just such a prohibition.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Foley medical company, charged with health violations, to remain shuttered," 6 July 2017
While company officials would not comment on specifics, some details of the modifications to these cars can be found in the consent decree under which Volkswagen is currently operating.

— jeff sabatini, Car and Driver, "The Fix Is In: We Test the Software Update for Cheaty VW TDI Diesels," 30 June 2017

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

Last month President Trump decreed in a series of tweets that transgender people would be banned from serving in the U.S. military:

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "White House Finds Solution to Transgender Military Ban: Delay, Then Let Mattis Decide," 24 Aug. 2017
In response, the Warren Court decreed that before trial, prosecutors must turn over evidence that is ‘‘

— emily bazelon, New York Times, "She Was Convicted of Killing Her Mother. Prosecutors Withheld the Evidence That Would Have Freed Her.," 1 Aug. 2017
Since the original EME proposal didn't include such a covenant, Berners-Lee decreed that failure to form one should not be allowed to block publication as an official W3C Recommendation.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Over many objections, W3C approves DRM for HTML5," 10 July 2017
In 1963, the Second Vatican Council decreed that the rite of consecrated virginity should be revised.

— ann zaniewski, charlotteobserver, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 5 July 2017
In 1963, the Second Vatican Council decreed that the rite of consecrated virginity should be revised.

— ann zaniewski, charlotteobserver, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 5 July 2017
In 1963, the Second Vatican Council decreed that the rite of consecrated virginity should be revised.

— ann zaniewski, USA TODAY, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 29 June 2017
In 1963, the Second Vatican Council decreed that the rite of consecrated virginity should be revised.

— ann zaniewski, USA TODAY, "Married to Jesus: Women make lifelong virginity pledge," 29 June 2017
In 1963, the Second Vatican Council decreed that the rite of consecrated virginity should be revised.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "Married to Jesus: Metro Detroit women make lifelong virginity pledge," 28 June 2017

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

Related Words

ask, petition, request; demand, require

Near Antonyms

cancel, countermand, rescind

DECREE Defined for English Language Learners

decree

play

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

play

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

play

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

—