fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət 

-ˌat,

-ˌät;

ˈfī-ət,

-ˌat 

1

: an authoritative or arbitrary order : decree

government by fiat

2

: an authoritative determination : dictate

a fiat of conscience

3

: a command or act of will that creates something without or as if without further effort

According to the Bible, the world was created by fiat.

Synonyms

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

Examples of fiat in a Sentence

He runs the company by fiat.

the school principal issued a fiat that caps were not to be worn inside the school, and that was that

Recent Examples on the Web

Events in the Montana House closely mirror those that have recently unfolded in the U.S. House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has implemented a trans bathroom ban by fiat and legislators voted to advance a federal ban on trans women in women’s sports on Tuesday. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 16 Jan. 2025

Compared to most fiat currencies, this alone makes bitcoin stand out. —Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Gold and fiat currencies have dominated national reserves for centuries, but a new era demands innovative solutions. —Sean Lee, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

What China needed was something like a final emperor, the breaker of the despotic chain who would summon modernity by fiat. —Chang Che, The New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, let it be done, 3rd singular present subjunctive of fieri to become, be done — more at be

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing fiat

• fiat money

Kids Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət  -at 

-ät;

ˈfī-ət,

-at

: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ˌät, -ˌat, -ət; ˈfī-ˌat 

1

: decree

2

: an authoritative but arbitrary order

a brazen act of judicial fiat

—L. H. Tribe