executive order

noun

: regulation sense 2b

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kemp signed an executive order Monday suspending Amanda Smith, John Bell, Jeff Davis, Joanna Glover, Peggy Johnson, James Lanier and Kenny Walters. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Congress has issued multiple legislative proposals, and the White House has launched a steady stream of executive orders, signaling support for innovation. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

But the new executive order advises that the MMR be separated into three individual shots — a dramatic change that goes against broad scientific consensus and a suggestion that could raise doubts. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

What Trump should not do is keep testing variations of executive orders against a Supreme Court ruling that has already answered the central question. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive order

• boarder
• border
• corder
• warder
• camcorder
• disorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Legal Definition

executive order

noun

: an order issued by a government's executive on the basis of authority specifically granted to the executive branch (as by the U.S. Constitution or a congressional act)

the National Security Agency was created by an executive order

compare proclamation, statute

Note: An executive order from the president does not have the force of law until it is printed in the Federal Register.