dictate

verb

dic·tate | \ ˈdik-ˌtāt

, dik-ˈ

dictated; dictating

Definition of dictate

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to utter words to be transcribed : to give dictation dictate for the stenographer

2 : to speak or act domineeringly : prescribe resents being dictated to

transitive verb

1 : to speak or read for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record dictating a letter to her secretary

2a : to issue as an order

b : to impose, pronounce, or specify authoritatively dictate the terms of surrender … the league will dictate policy for all teams …— Alex Yannis

c : to require or determine necessarily injuries dictated the choice of players The weather will dictate how long we stay.

dictate

noun

dic·tate | \ ˈdik-ˌtāt

Definition of dictate (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction the dictates of the party

b : a ruling principle according to the dictates of your conscience

2 : a command by one in authority papal dictates

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dictate

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Examples of dictate in a Sentence

Verb

She's dictating a letter to her secretary. They insisted on being able to dictate the terms of surrender. Tradition dictates that the youngest member should go first. The basket's function dictates its size and shape.

Noun

a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

His refusal to allow the network to dictate his work earned him unprecedented creative control throughout his 50 years in the industry. — Tribune News Service, OregonLive.com, "Steven Bochco, creator of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'NYPD Blue,' dies at 74," 2 Apr. 2018 That said, their feelings do not need to dictate your love life. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Dating and Single Motherhood," 1 Mar. 2019 One mystery is why Secretary Acosta would continue his predecessor’s depredations that seek to dictate how businesses manage their workforces and rewrite civil-rights and labor law according to the left’s identity politics. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Discriminating Against Oracle," 13 Feb. 2019 These wins are critical because governors have executive authority that allows them to dictate some state energy priorities. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Governors could drive the next wave of climate change action," 8 Nov. 2018 In the last two games, the Golden Knights have allowed the Jets to dictate play in the third period. — Kevin Allen, USA TODAY, "Ability to win in different ways puts Golden Knights on brink of Stanley Cup Final," 19 May 2018 Movie premiere style is often dictated by the tone and subject matter of the film itself. — Megan Gustashaw, GQ, "The A Quiet Place Premiere Was a Parade of Excellent Beards," 3 Apr. 2018 His refusal to allow the network to dictate his work earned him unprecedented creative control throughout his 50 years in the industry. — Tribune News Service, OregonLive.com, "Steven Bochco, creator of 'Hill Street Blues' and 'NYPD Blue,' dies at 74," 2 Apr. 2018 His refusal to allow the network to dictate his work earned him unprecedented creative control throughout his 50 years in the industry. — Mary Colurso, AL.com, "'American Idol' 2018: 2 Alabama singers in solo round, but only one survives elimination," 1 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As fashion tradition dictates, the Met Gala red carpet takes places on the first Monday in May, which is May 6 this year. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Fans Want BTS to Perform at Met Gala 2019," 3 Apr. 2019 This sounds like higher tariffs for countries that ignore U.S. dictates on climate policy. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Elizabeth Warren Dives In," 31 Dec. 2018 That carries the expectation of loyalty — something that Trump is known to expect from everyone, over and above the dictates of law and policy. — Dara Lind, Vox, "John Roberts is mad at Trump for attacking an “Obama judge”," 21 Nov. 2018 Its dodgy, outsider status perhaps permitted greater risks and leaps of faith than were available to nonsurgical physicians, who still found themselves making inchworm progress from the dictates of Hippocrates and Galen. — Laura Kolbe, WSJ, "‘Under the Knife’ Review: The Kindest Cuts," 14 Nov. 2018 Trump’s Orwellian dictate notwithstanding, there was plenty happening in plain sight last week. — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The Week in Washington: In Trump’s White House, It’s 1984," 29 July 2018 When her relationship with Harry became serious the following year, Meghan deleted all of her social media platforms as royal protocol dictates, but the picture still features her old Twitter account handle in the caption. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Remember That Time Meghan Markle Vacationed with Eddie Redmayne in 2015?," 13 Nov. 2018 Preckwinkle, who lives in Hyde Park, where politicians have long declared themselves independent from party dictates, has a working relationship with Garcia, who serves as her County Board floor leader. — Hal Dardick, chicagotribune.com, "Toni Preckwinkle expected to ascend to Cook County Democratic chairman today," 18 Apr. 2018 Under Taliban rule in the late 1990s, they were told to identify themselves by wearing yellow armbands, but the dictate was not wholly enforced. — Rahim Faiez, chicagotribune.com, "Suicide bomber targets Sikhs, Hindus in Afghanistan; 19 dead," 1 July 2018

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

History and Etymology for dictate

Verb

borrowed from Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, speak aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order," frequentative of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" — more at diction

Note: See note at dictator.

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin dictātum "something commanded" (Latin, in plural dictāta "lessons to be transcribed"), noun derivative from neuter of Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, say aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order" — more at dictate entry 1

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