enact

verb

en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
enacted; enacting; enacts

transitive verb

1
: to establish by legal and authoritative act
specifically : to make into law
enact a bill
2
: act out
enact a role
enactor noun

Examples of enact in a Sentence

Congress will enact legislation related to that issue. The law was finally enacted today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At a moment when many working people feel ignored by both major political parties, this is a unique and meaningful opportunity for Gov. Ned Lamont to demonstrate his commitment to working class voters by enacting policies that protect them and their jobs. Ed Hawthorne, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025 More than a half dozen states have enacted laws placing restrictions on diversity efforts at state institutions such as colleges and universities. Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 24 May 2025 That same chapter also recommends that the president undermine California’s ability to set strict vehicle emission standards, which Trump vowed to do shortly after taking office; the Senate this week voted to revoke California’s rights to enact policy on the issue. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025 If enacted, the TERM Act would represent the first major change to the tenure and appointment process for Supreme Court justices in over two centuries, with implications for the balance of power among the branches of the federal government. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enact

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enact was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enact. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

enact

verb
en·​act in-ˈakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
1
: to make (as a bill) into law
enact legislation
2
: to act out
enact a scene from a play
enactor noun

Legal Definition

enact

transitive verb
en·​act i-ˈnakt How to pronounce enact (audio)
: to establish by legal and authoritative act : make into law
enact a bill

More from Merriam-Webster on enact

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