decree

[ dih-kree ]

noun

1. a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law:

   a presidential decree.

2. Law. a judicial decision or order.
3. Theology. one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.

verb (used with or without object)

, de·creed, de·cree·ing.

1. to command, ordain, or decide by decree.

decree

/ dɪˈkriː /

noun

1. an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority
2. an order or judgment of a court made after hearing a suit, esp in matrimonial proceedings See decree nisi decree absolute

verb

1. to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree

Derived Forms

• deˈcreer, noun
• deˈcreeable, adjective

Other Words From

• prede·cree verb (used with object) predecreed predecreeing
• unde·creed adjective
• well-de·creed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decree¹

1275–1325; (noun) Middle English decre < Anglo-French decre, decret < Latin dēcrētum, noun use of neuter of dēcrētus, past participle of dēcernere; decern; (v.) Middle English decreen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decree¹

C14: from Old French decre, from Latin dēcrētum ordinance, from dēcrētus decided, past participle of dēcernere to determine; see decern

Example Sentences

Since taking office, he’s grappled with many of the same problems that bedeviled prior sheriffs: poor jail conditions, sprawling consent decrees, allegations about deputy gangs and persistent staffing woes.

From Los Angeles Times

Most of those sanctions were set, as Koh also points out, “by executive orders and regulatory decrees,” rather than in consultation with Congress.

From Salon

When I ran breathlessly through her list of triumphs — “Anything Goes,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Gypsy,” among them — Farrow decreed that they should name a theater after her friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Translated as “Nothing new without the common consent,” the new law redistributed political power by forbidding the king from issuing decrees without first getting parliamentary approval.

From Salon

Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, a national monument can be created by presidential decree.

From Salon

Related Words

• act
• announcement
• directive
• edict
• injunction
• instruction
• judgment
• law
• order
• proclamation
• regulation
• rule
• ruling
• statute