fiat

[ fee-aht, -at; fahy-uht, -at ]

noun

1. an authoritative decree, sanction, or order:

   a royal fiat.

   Synonyms: ukase, diktat, mandate, ruling, directive, authorization

2. a fixed form of words containing the word fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction, or authorization.
3. an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it:

   The king ruled by fiat.

fiat

/ ˈfaɪət; -æt /

noun

1. official sanction; authoritative permission
2. an arbitrary order or decree
3. literary.
   any command, decision, or act of will that brings something about

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiat¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “let it be done,” 3rd-person singular present subjunctive of fierī “to become”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiat¹

C17: from Latin, literally: let it be done, from fierī to become

Example Sentences

He's someone who wants to hide in a bunker while sending out minions to force his will by fiat, which is exactly what happened on January 6, 2021.

From Salon

“This is yet another attempt by the Biden administration to force through administrative fiat what it cannot get passed through Congress,” Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in a statement.

From Seattle Times

Live, and back behind those skyscrapers, City Hall, by fiat once our tallest building.

From Los Angeles Times

But by absolving itself of that responsibility, we’ve turned presidential elections into de facto parliamentary elections in which one party gets to make law through regulatory fiat.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite failing to catch on as a replacement for fiat, or paper, currencies, bitcoin soared near $68,000 in November of 2021.

From Seattle Times