fiat

noun

fi·​at ˈfē-ət How to pronounce fiat (audio)
-ˌat,
-ˌät;
ˈfī-ət,
-ˌat How to pronounce fiat (audio)
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.

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
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.
Research from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) shows up some interesting consumer attitudes around a digital fiat currency. David G.w. Birch, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 However, as Modi and his party may be realizing, resorting to legislation in the form of an executive fiat is hardly a winning formula in a democracy. Surupa Gupta, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2021 From the printing press and the telegraph to electricity and the internet, many of the great technological innovations in history happened because a few individuals decided on them by fiat. Sigal Samuel, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 The world’s largest digital asset has quickly become a preferred store of value for many investors, especially those looking to hedge against fiat currency depreciation. Frank Holmes, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fiat 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fiat was circa 1631

Cite this Entry

“Fiat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiat. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fiat

noun
fi·​at ˈfē-ət How to pronounce fiat (audio) -at How to pronounce fiat (audio)
-ät;
ˈfī-ət,
-at
: an order from someone in charge

Legal Definition

1
: decree
2
: an authoritative but arbitrary order
a brazen act of judicial fiatL. H. Tribe

More from Merriam-Webster on fiat

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