Definition of mandate
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an authoritative command
especially
: a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one
2
: an authorization to act given to a representative
accepted the mandate of the people
3a
: an order or commission granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for the establishment of a responsible government over a former German colony or other conquered territory
b
: a mandated territory
mandate
verb
mandated; mandating
Definition of mandate (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to administer or assign (something, such as a territory) under a mandate
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share mandate
Time Traveler for mandate
The first known use of mandate was in 1501
See more words from the same year