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

This shift would mark a transformative moment in financial history, as Bitcoin’s unique properties—decentralization, finite supply, and immunity to inflation—challenge the dominance of fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. —Tomer Niv, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Despite its triumphs, Bitcoin’s value is still being measured in USD, emerging as an alternate payment option or investment rather than a replacement for fiat currency. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2024

Purchasing crypto with fiat currency, particularly for first-time buyers, can often be a cumbersome process, involving multiple exchanges and lengthy KYC (know-your-customer) checks. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 2 Dec. 2024

The other is the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act, a bill that seeks to establish a regulatory regime to license issuers of stablecoins — tokens that are pegged to the value of fiat currencies like the dollar. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 2 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