decree

1 of 2

noun

de·​cree di-ˈkrē How to pronounce decree (audio)
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 sense 3a) court or probate court

decree

2 of 2

verb

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
decreer noun

Examples of decree in a Sentence

Noun The President issued a decree making the day a national holiday. Their marriage was annulled by judicial decree. Verb 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 on the Web
Noun
Kyiv could clarify that the decree applies only to the Russian president and not to other representatives of the Russian government. Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2024 Thousands of inmates fled during jailbreak The decree capped a deadly weekend that marked a new low in Haiti’s spiral of violence. Evens Sanon and Pierre-Richard Luxama, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 And if governmental decrees limit the ability of credit-card companies to make money off of credit-card issuance, the losers will be those investors. John Tamny, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The council's decree eventually became the standard. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024 The addition of the a state bat and mushroom aren’t the only new decrees or laws that took effect on New Year’s Day. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 When the moment of truth arrived in April, on the anniversary of King Sobhuza’s decree, Mr. Motsa was pacing in a panic. John Eligon Joao Silva, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 The couple’s final divorce decree was issued in May 2022. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2024 Before former President Juan Manuel Santos signed a 2018 decree protecting the country’s paleontological heritage, street vendors sold fossils to passing tourists. Santiago Flórez, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
Verb
The judiciary had reason and standing to strike down the Citizenship Amendment Act: In a landmark 1973 ruling, the supreme court had decreed that legislative amendments could not amount to a rewriting of the founding principles of the constitution. Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2024 It was decreed, by society and by every overbearing aunty in my life, that I would be limited to loose black T-shirts, baggy dark-colored bottoms, and tankini swimsuits—the kind with frilly skirts to hide the offense of having thighs. Vanessa Chan, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2024 Before and after World War II As World War II approached, the government decreed that 15 percent of all beer production would be sent to the troops overseas. Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 16 Jan. 2024 Many years later, after the 40-hour work week became standard, California’s Industrial Welfare Commission decreed that farmworkers could work up to 10 hours a day or six days a week before overtime pay kicked in. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 1 Jan. 2024 The year 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Color Institute decreeing a color of the year. Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2023 This past year, Lula decreed several new Indigenous territories, one nearly the size of Delaware for 249 people. Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2024 Tricked by the Magi, the wise men whom Herod had sent to determine where the infant was, a raging Herod decreed that all children 2 and under who live near Bethlehem are to be killed. Aaron Gale, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 In that decision, the ECJ decreed that all recording artists are entitled to an equal share of the royalties generated when their music is played on radio or in public premises in the EU, regardless of their nationality — or the absence of radio and performance rights in an artist’s home country. Richard Smirke, Billboard, 28 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decree was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near decree

Cite this Entry

“Decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decree. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decree

1 of 2 noun
de·​cree di-ˈkrē How to pronounce decree (audio)
: an order or decision given by one in authority

decree

2 of 2 verb
decreed; decreeing
: to command or order by decree

Legal Definition

decree

noun
de·​cree di-ˈkrē How to pronounce decree (audio)
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 sense 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 sense 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
Etymology

Noun

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

More from Merriam-Webster on decree

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