obiter dictum

noun

obi·​ter dic·​tum ˌō-bə-tər-ˈdik-təm 

ˌä-

plural obiter dicta ˌō-bə-tər-ˈdik-tə 

ˌä-

1

: an incidental and collateral opinion that is uttered by a judge but is not binding

2

: an incidental remark or observation

Examples of obiter dictum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania appellate court did not stop there, although what follows is no more than obiter dictum or, in English, just the non-precedential musings of the court. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin, "something said in passing"

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for obiter dictum

• victim

Legal Definition

obiter dictum

noun

obi·​ter dic·​tum ˈō-bi-tər-ˈdik-təm, ˈä-bi- 

plural obiter dicta -tə 

: an incidental and collateral remark that is uttered or written by a judge but is not binding : dictum

Etymology

Late Latin, literally, something said in passing