decree

1 of 3

noun (1)

de·​cree di-ˈkrē 

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 3

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

intransitive verb

: ordain

decreer

di-ˈkrē-ər 

noun

decreer

3 of 3

noun (2)

de·​cre·​er də̇ˈkrēə(r) 

dēˈ-

plural -s

: one that decrees

Synonyms of decree

Noun (1)

• edict
• instruction
• order
• directive
• injunction
• direction

Verb

• order
• request

Examples of decree in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Even after that decree was reached, Common Cause monitors reported in 2024 missing or inadequate Spanish-language signs in the city about voter ID requirements and provisional ballots, as required by federal law, The Journal reported at the time. — Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

The barrages prompted Putin last month to decree that the state temporarily can seize control of critical infrastructure facilities if private owners fail to protect them from Ukrainian drone attacks or don’t rebuild them after strikes. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

In a significant policy twist, on 14 August, Spain’s government decreed a three-year extension for a pair of nuclear power plants with combined capacity of about 2 gigawatts. — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) 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 (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Phrases Containing decree

• by decree
• consent decree
• decree-law
• papal decree
• royal decree

Rhymes for decree

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Kids Definition

decree

1 of 2 noun

de·​cree di-ˈkrē 

: 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 

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