fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət 

-ˌat,

-ˌät;

ˈfī-ət,

-ˌat 

1

: an authoritative or arbitrary order : decree

government by fiat

2

: an authoritative determination : dictate

a fiat of conscience

3

: a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort

According to the Bible, the world was created by fiat.

Synonyms

• bull
• decree
• diktat
• directive
• edict
• rescript
• ruling
• ukase

Examples of fiat in a Sentence

He runs the company by fiat.

the school principal issued a fiat that caps were not to be worn inside the school, and that was that

Recent Examples on the Web

The world’s largest digital asset has quickly become a preferred store of value for many investors, especially those looking to hedge against fiat currency depreciation. —Frank Holmes, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

This erosion of trust in fiat currency enhances gold’s appeal as a reliable store of value. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024

Moreover, this fiat couldn’t be construed as anything but personal and punitive; after all, the diaries are available both at Cornell and at the British Library, where my own literary papers are archived—so, freely available to anyone who should wish to novelize their mother’s life. —Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Investors tend to flock to gold, in particular, in times of economic turbulence — especially amid fears that the fiat dollar may lose its value, due to inflation or other factors. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, let it be done, 3rd singular present subjunctive of fieri to become, be done — more at be

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing fiat

• fiat money

Kids Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət  -at 

-ät;

ˈfī-ət,

-at

: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ˌät, -ˌat, -ət; ˈfī-ˌat 

1

: decree

2

: an authoritative but arbitrary order

a brazen act of judicial fiat

—L. H. Tribe