enactment

American  

[en-akt-muhnt] / ɛnˈækt mənt /

noun

1. the act of enacting.

2. the state or fact of being enacted.

3. something that is enacted; a law or statute.

4. a single provision of a law.

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Other Word Forms

• nonenactment noun
• reenactment noun

Etymology

Origin of enactment

First recorded in 1810–20; enact + -ment

Explanation

The process of making something into a law is enactment. The enactment of new legislation in your town means that you'll now have to keep your dog on a leash in all public parks. Enactment comes from the verb enact, which has long been used to mean "establish as law." This legal terminology has "act" at its center, meaning both "to do" and "written proof of something that's been said, done, or agreed to." Legitimizing this kind of act as law is where enactment comes in. You can also use this word for the resulting law itself: "The enactment doesn't affect me — I never let my dog off her leash anyway."

Example Sentences

“They’re not taking into account all the legislative history and statements made at the time of the enactment of Dodd-Frank.”

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

And this was the best he could find: “Two cherry-picked newspaper references almost 20 years apart, and at least 30 years before the enactment of the FTCA.”

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

The law calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Epstein-related documents held by the Justice Department within 30 days of its Nov. 19 enactment.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

The ECOA’s enactment made it illegal for lenders to refuse to lend to certain groups, or charge them higher interest rates because of their race, color, religion, sex or other protected status.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

This enactment of defeat depressed everyone’s spirits further.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• legislation
• proclamation
• ratification