fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət 

-ˌat,

-ˌät;

ˈfī-ət,

-ˌat 

1

: an authoritative or arbitrary order : decree

government by fiat

2

: an authoritative determination : dictate

a fiat of conscience

3

: a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort

According to the Bible, the world was created by fiat.

Synonyms

• bull
• decree
• diktat
• directive
• edict
• rescript
• ruling
• ukase

Examples of fiat in a Sentence

He runs the company by fiat.

the school principal issued a fiat that caps were not to be worn inside the school, and that was that

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, no fiat currency stands ready to clearly inherit the dollar's role. —Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Silicon Valley, where the best companies were run by executive fiat, knew how to make the trains run on time. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025

Bitcoin is a digital currency and virtual payment system designed to exist outside the control of any central entity, in contrast to fiat currencies which are controlled by governments, like the U.S. dollar or the Swiss franc. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

Even cautious investors might view that as a valuable diversification tool, sitting between the extremes of fiat savings and direct bitcoin speculation. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, let it be done, 3rd singular present subjunctive of fieri to become, be done — more at be

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing fiat

• fiat money

Kids Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət  -at 

-ät;

ˈfī-ət,

-at

: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ˌät, -ˌat, -ət; ˈfī-ˌat 

1

: decree

2

: an authoritative but arbitrary order

a brazen act of judicial fiat

—L. H. Tribe