writ

noun

\ ˈrit

Definition of writ

1 : something written : writing Sacred Writ

2a : 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

Examples of writ in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Then writers like me weigh in, and comedians, and contrarians, and the quantity of coverage causes normal people to roll their eyes and dismiss the media writ large. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "Why the news media can't stop talking about Biden's dogs," 1 Apr. 2021 With the Loeffler saga behind them, the new ownership group and the WNBA writ large can move forward and continue to build in the Atlanta market, one that in many ways complements the league’s strengths. — Brendon Kleen, Forbes, "Former Atlanta Dream Player Renee Montgomery Joins New Ownership Group, Ending WNBA’s Kelly Loeffler Saga," 26 Feb. 2021 For that reason, a state appeals judge recently declined to order the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to give Cluck the federal writ of entry and seizure warrant that the FBI agents relied on to gain access to the site. — Fox News, "FBI agents sought cache of fabled Civil War-era gold at Pennsylvania dig site, government emails show," 13 Mar. 2018 For that reason, a state appeals judge recently declined to order the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to give Cluck the federal writ of entry and seizure warrant that the FBI agents relied on to gain access to the site. — Time, "The FBI Has Searched for a Fabled Cache of Civil War Gold in Pennsylvania, Records Show," 9 Mar. 2021 Since the 2007 release of Clark’s first St. Vincent album, Marry Me, the 2001 Lake Highlands High School graduate has become an A-list name not only in music, but in pop-culture writ-large. — Kelly Dearmore, Dallas News, "Dallas rocker St. Vincent’s new ‘Pay Your Way in Pain’ video is a slinky, ’70s-molded treat," 4 Mar. 2021 In 2011, Walton filed an unsuccessful writ with help from his cellmate, arguing that his trial attorney was ineffective and there was insufficient evidence to sustain the guilty verdict. — Jessica Priest, USA Today, "Moonlighting prosecutor sent Texas man to death row; 17 years later, he could get a new trial," 4 Feb. 2021 Currently, exonerees need a pardon from the governor or a writ of actual innocence issued by a judge and approved by a prosecutor to qualify for compensation. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "‘A clearer path’: Maryland on track to set guidelines for compensating those wrongly convicted," 8 Mar. 2021 Paarlberg pushes back against fashionable trends touted by the likes of Michael Pollan and Alice Waters, arguing that locavore and pre-industrial practices require a lot of dough, and won’t work for society writ-large. — BostonGlobe.com, "A new take on Baldwin by Kim McLarin, a slew of honors for local children’s publisher Candlewick, and a new book that thinks about what we eat, and why," 4 Feb. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

18 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Writ.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/writ. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for writ

writ

noun

English Language Learners Definition of writ

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

See the full definition for writ in the English Language Learners Dictionary

writ

noun

\ ˈrit

Kids Definition of writ

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

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 petitioned for a writ of error coram nobis on the ground that newly discovered evidence exonerated him

— called also coram nobis, writ of coram nobis

— writ of right

1 : a common-law writ formerly used to restore property held by another to its rightful owner

2 : a writ granted as a matter of right — compare extraordinary writ in this entry

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