edict

noun

ˈē-ˌdikt 

1

: a proclamation having the force of law

2

: order, command

we held firm to Grandmother's edict

—M. F. K. Fisher

edictal

i-ˈdik-tᵊl 

adjective

Did you know?

Edicts are few and far between in a democracy, since very few important laws can be made by a president or prime minister acting alone. But when a crisis arose in the Roman Republic, the senate would appoint a dictator, who would have the power to rule by edict. The idea was that the dictator could make decisions quickly, issuing his edicts faster than the senate could act. When the crisis was over, the edicts were canceled and the dictator usually retired from public life. Things are different today: dictators almost always install themselves in power, and they never give it up.

Synonyms

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

Examples of edict in a Sentence

The government issued an edict banning public demonstrations.

the school board's edict put a new student dress code into effect

Recent Examples on the Web

Thus, if the administration decides to ignore court decisions ordering noninterference with the states or threatens to coerce state authority to do its bidding, state governments can respond in kind by ignoring lawless federal edicts and refusing to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts. —Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025

Many of these grants were likely stopped due to the administration’s edict to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the federal agencies. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025

Instead, Sheinbaum has aligned Mexican policy with Trump’s edicts. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025

Recognize the difference between persuasion and edicts. —Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin edictum, from neuter of edictus, past participle of edicere to decree, from e- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for edict

• oviduct

Kids Definition

edict

noun

ˈē-ˌdikt 

: a law or order made or given by an authority (as a ruler)

edictal

i-ˈdik-tᵊl 

adjective