mandate

[ man-deyt ]

noun

1. a command or authorization to act in a particular way on a public issue given by the electorate to its representative:

   The president had a clear mandate to end the war.

2. a command from a superior court or official to a lower one:

   The appellate court resolved the appeal and issued a mandate to the district judge.

3. an authoritative order or command:

   a royal mandate.

   Synonyms: ruling, edict, injunction, decree, fiat

4. (in the League of Nations) a commission given to a nation to administer the government and affairs of a former Turkish territory or German colony.
5. a mandated territory or colony.
6. Roman Catholic Church. an order issued by the pope, especially one commanding the preferment of a certain person to a benefice.
7. Roman and Civil Law. a contract by which one engages gratuitously to perform services for another.
8. (in modern civil law) any contract by which a person undertakes to perform services for another.
9. Roman Law. an order or decree by the emperor, especially to governors of provinces.

verb (used with object)

, man·dat·ed, man·dat·ing.

1. to authorize or decree (a particular action), as by the enactment of law:

   The state legislature mandated an increase in the minimum wage.

2. to order or require; make mandatory:

   to mandate sweeping changes in the election process.

3. to consign (a territory, colony, etc.) to the charge of a particular nation under a mandate.

mandate

noun

1. an official or authoritative instruction or command
2. politics the support or commission given to a government and its policies or an elected representative and his policies through an electoral victory
3. Also calledmandated territory often capital (formerly) any of the territories under the trusteeship of the League of Nations administered by one of its member states
4. 1. Roman law a contract by which one person commissions another to act for him gratuitously and the other accepts the commission
   2. contract law a contract of bailment under which the party entrusted with goods undertakes to perform gratuitously some service in respect of such goods
   3. Scots law a contract by which a person is engaged to act in the management of the affairs of another

verb

1. international law to assign (territory) to a nation under a mandate
2. to delegate authority to
3. obsolete.
   to give a command to

mandate

1. A command or an expression of a desire, especially by a group of voters for a political program. Politicians elected in landslide victories often claim that their policies have received a mandate from the voters.

Derived Forms

• ˈmanˌdator, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin mandātum, noun use of neuter of mandātus, past participle of mandāre “to commission,” literally, “to give into (someone's) hand”; equivalent to manus manus + -dere “to put” (combining form; do ¹ ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandate¹

C16: from Latin mandātum something commanded, from mandāre to command, perhaps from manus hand + dāre to give

Example Sentences

These advocates called for imposing further restrictions on demolition, which the Planning Department said could significantly reduce new housing construction, including units that are mandated to be affordable to low-income households.

From Los Angeles Times

While the Constitution allows forced labor in prison, it is the Penal Code that mandates it.

From Los Angeles Times

But according to Vicky Read, chief executive of charging firm Charge UK a weakening of the mandate would be the wrong move.

From BBC

Project 2025’s Medicaid chapter falsely states that the ACA “mandates that states must expand their Medicaid eligibility standards” to include all individuals with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.”

From Los Angeles Times

For people who already believe that male dominance and patriarchy are mandated by God, it's easy to feel resentful when told the price of power is duty.

From Salon

Related Words

• authorization
• command
• decree
• directive
• injunction
• instruction
• sanction