: a writ issued by a superior court commanding the performance of a specified official act or duty

Examples of mandamus in a Sentence

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.
Other than mandamus actions, a suit under 42 USC 1983, was filed, I was never served and the matter was ultimately dismissed with prejudice, without my participation. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 Since then, the case seeking the writ mandamus has continued but motions mostly had to do with procedural matters, Levinson said, such as a filing from Yost to dismiss the case. Laura Hancock, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin, we enjoin, from mandare

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mandamus was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near mandamus

Cite this Entry

“Mandamus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandamus. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

mandamus

noun
: a writ from a superior court ordering the performance of an act or duty

Legal Definition

mandamus

noun
: an extraordinary writ issued by a court of competent jurisdiction to an inferior tribunal, a public official, an administrative agency, a corporation, or any person compelling the performance of an act usually only when there is a duty under the law to perform the act, the plaintiff has a clear right to such performance, and there is no other adequate remedy available
also : an action in the nature of a writ of mandamus in jurisdictions where the writ is abolished compare cease-and-desist order at order, injunction, stay

Note: Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is issued usually only to command the performance of a ministerial act. It cannot be used to substitute the court's judgment for the defendant's in the performance of a discretionary act.

mandamus verb
Etymology

Latin, we enjoin, from mandare to enjoin

More from Merriam-Webster on mandamus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!