writ

noun \ ˈrit \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

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

The club is now asking the Waukesha County Circuit Court to grant a writ of memorandums so the city would have to issue a conditional use permit.

— jordyn noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With a new lawsuit filed, the Hartland Sportsman's Club's battle with the city of Delafield is not over," 4 May 2018
Fadal’s attorney, James Millan, filed a writ of habeas corpus three days after the shooting, asking the court to reduce Fadal’s initial bail from $2 million.

— zeke mccormack, San Antonio Express-News, "Suit filed against Seguin physician accused in double slaying," 3 May 2018
Which is not to say that bike-share systems, and cycling writ large, don’t big face challenges.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "Americans Are Falling in Love With Bike Share," 3 May 2018
While riding circuit, Taney ruled that only Congress could suspend the great writ; Lincoln ignored him and focused on saving the Union.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "When the President Defies the Supreme Court," 24 Apr. 2018
But one of the most maddening elements of this case — and why writing off the defense writ large is so hard — is that Ortega never acted like pure evil before the crime.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "The Jury and the Family Speak Out As the Nanny Trial Ends," 19 Apr. 2018
So Spath had prosecutors prepare writs of attachment to have U.S. Marshals pick up Eliades and Spears and force them to appear at war court headquarters, in a Pentagon building called the Mark Center.

— carol rosenberg, miamiherald, "War court judge may seek testimony from Secretary of Defense | Miami Herald," 15 Feb. 2018
In orders issued Friday, the court denied a writ of certiorari-- or a request to review-- the case of Willie Earl Scott.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "Alabama Supreme Court won't review cases of two men on death row, convicted of separate killings in Birmingham," 24 Oct. 2017
The lawsuit, filed by El Mercado de Los Angeles and its owner Tony Rosado, asks for a writ ordering the City Council to vacate its approval of the project and demand a full environmental impact report.

— doug smith, latimes.com, "El Mercado files suit to rescind approval of a Boyle Heights homeless housing project," 6 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

WRIT Defined for English Language Learners

writ

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

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

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