executive order

noun

: regulation sense 2b

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

President Biden has issued executive orders to promote social justice, beginning on his very first day in the Oval Office. —The Editors, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024

Trump is expected to sign up to five executive orders on immigration after he is sworn in on Jan. 20 and is considering withholding federal police grants from law enforcement agencies that decline to aid in deportations. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024

Trading began on Tuesday hours after Trump announced plans to slap tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico by executive order on the first day of his administration. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2024

The potential return of travel bans recalls Trump's executive orders during his first term, which restricted entry for citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

executive order

noun

: an order issued by a government's executive on the basis of authority specifically granted to the executive branch (as by the U.S. Constitution or a congressional act)

the National Security Agency was created by an executive order

compare proclamation, statute

Note: An executive order from the president does not have the force of law until it is printed in the Federal Register.