executive order

noun

: regulation sense 2b

Examples of executive order in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The nation-wide protests, which took aim at both Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, follows the Trump administration's mass deportations, executive orders repealing trans protections, and sweeping federal cuts and layoffs. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

Donald Trump recently signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to determine a policy for transgender service members. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025

More:Trump signs executive order targeting transgender girls, women athletes The judge said that, in applying that 1969 decision, federal courts have ruled schools can restrict messages that can be reasonably interpreted to demean a person’s identity and are reasonably expected to be disruptive. —Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

Just as unclear is whether Trump’s executive order on the WHO is even legal. —Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Feb. 2025

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.