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gag order
noun
: a judicial ruling barring public disclosure or discussion (as by the press) of information related to a case
broadly
: a similar nonjudicial prohibition against the release of confidential information or against public discussion of a sensitive matter
Examples of gag order in a Sentence
The judge has issued a gag order.
Recent Examples on the Web
The groups that tendered bids for the salvage operation have not been publicly named and are under strict non-disclosure gag orders set by prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano, who is in charge of the preliminary criminal investigation.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
Because of military secrecy and court gag orders, a full picture of the case has yet to emerge.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024
Previously:Court issues gag order on Delphi murder case Gag order still in place, ISP says
Gull had previously issued the gag order preventing law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys and the families from speaking publicly about the case.
—Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Nov. 2024
The court will decide on Sunday whether to lift a gag order on other details of the case.
—Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1906, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Gag order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gag%20order. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Legal Definition
gag order
see order sense 3b
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