edict

noun

ˈē-ˌdikt 

1

: a proclamation having the force of law

2

: order, command

we held firm to Grandmother's edict

—M. F. K. Fisher

edictal

i-ˈdik-tᵊl 

adjective

Did you know?

Edicts are few and far between in a democracy, since very few important laws can be made by a president or prime minister acting alone. But when a crisis arose in the Roman Republic, the senate would appoint a dictator, who would have the power to rule by edict. The idea was that the dictator could make decisions quickly, issuing his edicts faster than the senate could act. When the crisis was over, the edicts were canceled and the dictator usually retired from public life. Things are different today: dictators almost always install themselves in power, and they never give it up.

Synonyms

• decree
• ruling
• directive

Examples of edict in a Sentence

The government issued an edict banning public demonstrations.

the school board's edict put a new student dress code into effect

Recent Examples on the Web

But the Chiefs instituted a second edict that came to light at training camp, which wrapped up at Missouri Western on Wednesday. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025

The episode is a reminder that the edicts of one administration can be revisited by the next. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 31 July 2025

That’s the key and the edict delivered by Jent during the team’s four-day minicamp, with three coming at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada, before Thursday’s final tuneup leading into games on consecutive days, the second coming against the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. —Roderick Boone updated July 11, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025

The management purge in Washington might have been only half as bad if Nationals GM Mike Rizzo had gone along with owner Mark Lerner’s edict to fire manager Dave Martinez. —Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin edictum, from neuter of edictus, past participle of edicere to decree, from e- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edict

• oviduct

Kids Definition

edict

noun

ˈē-ˌdikt 

: a law or order made or given by an authority (as a ruler)

edictal

i-ˈdik-tᵊl 

adjective