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

• decree
• edict
• ruling
• directive

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

Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to provide users with greater price stability by pegging to an existing fiat currency — such as the dollar or euro — or commodity. —Hugh Leask, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

Stablecoins — digital tokens typically pegged 1:1 to fiat currencies like the US dollar or a local currency — have always been designed as stable units of account and mediums of exchange, not speculative assets. —Gwera Kiwana, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025

One is that the free market, meaning supply and demand, not government fiat, should set prices and production levels. —Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025

While traditional fiat currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, are issued by governments that can produce them as needed, bitcoin has a limited supply and is produced by computers. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 19 Sep. 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