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

As a result of Trump’s edicts, employees have been fired; websites have been removed; and scientific papers have been withdrawn. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025

However, on January 28, shortly before the memo’s edicts were set to take effect, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a stay on the funding freeze. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 29 Jan. 2025

Ruff’s edict was that the team would play with more structure and accountability. —Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

The administration said there would be an executive order revoking provisions of the 14th Amendment guaranteeing citizenship to anyone born on American soil — an edict that will surely be challenged. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

edict

noun

ˈē-ˌdikt 

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

edictal

i-ˈdik-tᵊl 

adjective