writ

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noun \ ˈrit \

Definition of writ

1 :something written :writing

Sacred Writ

2 a :a formal written document; specifically :a legal instrument in epistolary form issued under seal in the name of the English monarch

b :an order or mandatory process in writing issued in the name of the sovereign or of a court or judicial officer commanding the person to whom it is directed to perform or refrain from performing an act specified therein

writ of detinue

writ of entry

writ of execution

c :the power and authority of the issuer of such a written order —usually used with run

outside the United States where … our writ does not run
—Dean Acheson

See writ defined for English-language learners

See writ defined for kids

Examples of writ in a Sentence

The judge issued a writ of habeas corpus.
He was served with a writ.

Recent Examples of writ from the Web

But the bill would have enjoyed the support of big business, nativists, and the public writ large.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Donald Trump Is a Victim of Congressional Republicans’ Incompetence," 19 July 2017
Cannizzaro, whose writ was rejected by the state Supreme Court, agreed to vacate Ladd's conviction under the habitual offender law.

— richard a. webster, NOLA.com, "After early release from prison, Kenner dad adjusts to life as a free man," 12 July 2017
Robshaw’s personal history is writ large in the small house.

— nancy hass, ELLE Decor, "House Tour: John Robshaw's Vibrant Connecticut Country Home Is Totally Anti-Color Scheme," 7 July 2017
According to the writ, seen by CNN, Kiobel accuses Shell of complicity in the unlawful arrest and detention of her husband, Dr. Barinem Kiobel; the violation of his personal integrity and the violation of his right to a fair trial.

— ayodeji rotinwa for cnn and stephanie busari, CNN, "Ogoni 9 widow Esther Kiobel lands day in court against oil giant Shell," 30 June 2017
In addition, Giambrone argued that a writ of mandamus petition, the legal procedure Reynaud requests in his suit, can't be used by one public official to compel another public official to do something.

— littice bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "Kenner councilman's suit against Mayor Ben Zahn dismissed," 29 June 2017
The effects of these phenomena are writ large in space, yet their true natures have f... The full text of this article is available to Discover Magazine subscribers only.

— adam hadhazy, Discover Magazine, "Everything Worth Knowing About ... the Dark Universe," 26 June 2017
Renée McDonald Hutchins, the law school professor who has worked on his case from the start, plans to file for a writ of actual innocence in the coming months.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Ex-inmate Mark Farley Grant: 'I grew up in prison, you know'," 24 June 2017
A writ of actual innocence would help Grant in an appeal for a pardon from Gov. Larry Hogan.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Ex-inmate Mark Farley Grant: 'I grew up in prison, you know'," 24 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'writ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of writ

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English wrītan to write

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

WRIT Defined for English Language Learners

writ

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noun

Definition of writ for English Language Learners

law : a document from a court ordering someone to do something or not to do something

WRIT Defined for Kids

writ

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noun \ ˈrit \

Definition of writ for Students

:an order in writing signed by an officer of a court ordering someone to do or not to do something

Law Dictionary

writ

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noun \ ˈrit \

legal Definition of writ

1 :a letter that was issued in the name of the English monarch from Anglo-Saxon times to declare his grants, wishes, and commands

2 :an order or mandatory process in writing issued in the name of the sovereign or of a court or judicial officer commanding the person to whom it is directed to perform or refrain from performing a specified act

Note: The writ was a vital official instrument in the old common law of England. A plaintiff commenced a suit at law by choosing the proper form of action and obtaining a writ appropriate to the remedy sought; its issuance forced the defendant to comply or to appear in court and defend. Writs were also in constant use for financial and political purposes of government. While the writ no longer governs civil pleading and has lost many of its applications, the extraordinary writs especially of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, and certiorari indicate its historical importance as an instrument of judicial authority.

— alias writ

:a writ issued upon the failure of a previous one

— alternative writ

:a writ commanding one to perform a mandated act or else to show cause why the act need not be performed — compare peremptory writ in this entry

— extraordinary writ

:a writ granted as an extraordinary remedy at the discretion of the court in its jurisdiction over officials or inferior tribunals — called also prerogative writ; see also certiorari, habeas corpus, mandamus, procedendo, prohibition, quo warranto — compare writ of right in this entry

Note: Extraordinary writs were originally writs exercised by royal prerogative.

— judicial writ

:a writ issued by a court under its own seal for judicial purposes in the course of a proceeding or to enforce a judgment — compare original writ in this entry

— original writ

:a writ formerly used in England that issued out of chancery as the means of bringing a suit and defendant before the court — compare judicial writ in this entry

Note: The original writ was superseded by the summons in 1873.

— peremptory writ

:a writ (as of mandamus) that presents an absolute order without the alternative to show cause

a peremptory writ of prohibition

— compare alternative writ in this entry

— prerogative writ \pri-ˈrä-gə-tiv-\

:extraordinary writ in this entry

— writ of assistance

1 :a writ issued to a law officer (as a sheriff or marshal) for the enforcement of a court order or decree; especially :one used to enforce an order for the possession of lands

2 :a writ provided for under British rule in colonial America that authorized customs officers to search unspecified places for any smuggled goods

Note: Many colonial courts refused to issue writs of assistance, which were a focus of bitter resentment against arbitrary searches and seizures. Opposition to such writs inspired the provision in the U.S. Constitution requiring that a search warrant describe with particularity the place and items to be searched.

— writ of coram nobis

:writ of error coram nobis in this entry

— writ of error

:a common-law writ directing an inferior court to remit the record of an action to the reviewing court in order that an error of law may be corrected if it exists

Note: The writ of error has been largely abolished and superseded by the appeal.

— writ of error coram nobis

:a writ calling the attention of the trial court to facts which do not appear on the record despite the exercise of reasonable diligence by the defendant and which if known and established at the time a judgment was rendered would have resulted in a different judgment