1
: a proclamation having the force of law
2
: order, command
we held firm to Grandmother's edictM. F. K. Fisher
edictal 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The changes outlined in the memo could deal another setback to the ranks of the department’s most experienced nonpolitical career prosecutors, who have been subjected to a wave of firings, forced transfers and policy edicts since Mr. Trump’s inauguration. Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Such wasn’t the case for other pages involving minorities and women, because the department said those pages violated the Trump administration’s edict against DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. Terence Moore, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 The move followed a late Friday night edict from President Trump that its parent agency, called the U.S. Agency for Global Media, must eliminate all activities that are not required by law. David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025 President Donald Trump voiced support for Elon Musk’s demand that federal employees explain their recent accomplishments by the end of Monday or risk getting fired, an edict that has spawned new litigation and added to turmoil within the government workforce. Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for edict

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of edict was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Edict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edict. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

edict

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

More from Merriam-Webster on edict

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