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 of edict

• 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

That was despite a Spanish edict forbidding Pueblo people to possess horses. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Deterrence and leverage Despite concerns that Iran’s nuclear activities shorten its path to a bomb, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed through a religious edict never to pursue a nuclear bomb. —Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026

Lee’s edict was heeded against the Washington Wizards. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026

Commissioner Adam Silver delivered an edict on potential changes for the 2026-27 season to deter tanking as a whole during a general managers meeting Thursday, according to an ESPN report. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

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

13th 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