fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət How to pronounce fiat (audio)
-ˌat,
-ˌät;
ˈfī-ət,
-ˌat How to pronounce fiat (audio)
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.

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 Investors tend to flock to gold, in particular, in times of economic turbulence — especially amid fears that the fiat dollar may lose its value, due to inflation or other factors. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 And that fixed supply is what is missing from all other investments, such as fiat currencies, gold, and real estate. Korok Ray, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Most fiat currencies—that is, those issued by governments—are used primarily to buy such things as food and clothing, rather than to gamble on the rise and fall of exchange rates. Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 But that doesn’t mean deciding by fiat is always appropriate. Sigal Samuel, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 See all Example Sentences for fiat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fiat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiat was circa 1631

Cite this Entry

“Fiat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiat. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

fiat

noun
fi·​at ˈfē-ət How to pronounce fiat (audio) -at How to pronounce fiat (audio)
-ät;
ˈfī-ət,
-at
: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

1
: decree
2
: an authoritative but arbitrary order
a brazen act of judicial fiatL. H. Tribe

More from Merriam-Webster on fiat

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