executive order

noun

: regulation sense 2b

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among them was a ruling Boutrous secured as attorney for NPR and three Colorado public radio stations against an executive order barring any federal funds from going to the network or other public media outlets. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

As with so many other administration actions, that means the pending executive order could do a lot of damage before the courts can intervene. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026

Central Valley flood infrastructure at risk For the Central Valley, Monday’s executive order will help to coordinate the state’s floodwater infrastructure ahead of any drenching rains to come. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Unfortunately, this executive order would subject children to extra shots to gain the same immunization protection. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 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.