plural decrees
1
: an official order given by a person with power or by a government
The President issued a decree making the day a national holiday.
The soldiers read the people a royal decree. [=an order given by a king or queen]
a papal decree [=a decree from a Pope]
He took his position by decree [=because of a decree] of the national government.
by royal decree
2
: an official decision made by a court of law
She tried to have the court's decree [=judgment, ruling] reversed.
a divorce decree
Their marriage was annulled by judicial decree.
decrees; decreed; decreeing
: to order or decide (something) in an official way
The government decreed a national holiday.
The change was decreed by the President.
The City Council has decreed that all dogs must be kept on a leash.
He was favored to win, but fate decreed otherwise. [=it was not his fate to win; he did not win]
Cite this Entry
“Decree.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/decree. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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