fiat
Americannoun
-
an authoritative decree, sanction, or order.
a royal fiat.
-
a fixed form of words containing the word fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction, or authorization.
-
an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it.
The king ruled by fiat.
noun
-
official sanction; authoritative permission
-
an arbitrary order or decree
-
literary any command, decision, or act of will that brings something about
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of fiat
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “let it be done,” 3rd-person singular present subjunctive of fierī “to become”
Explanation
You might think a fiat is just an Italian car, but it actually means a legal, authoritative decision that has absolute sanction. From the Latin for "let it be done," the word fiat is a binding edict issued by a person in command. It can gain an almost Biblical aura of authority, like a movie Pharaoh saying, "So let it be written, so let it be done." So let it be a fiat.
Vocabulary lists containing fiat
"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week In Words: January 4–10, 2020
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Mazda MX-5, the Mini Convertible and the Fiat 500 are exceptions, but customers looking for affordable soft-tops now have few options.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
Stellantis is expanding its global pickup portfolio, renewing Fiat models and introducing a new Ram Rampage to North America.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
The company said it would focus in particular on four of its 14 brands -- Jeep, Ram, Peugeot and Fiat -- where it would concentrate 70 percent of its planned investments.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
From the giant ones at the Hollywood Bowl the size of a Fiat to handheld ones at a small club that fit on a barstool, you will find them everywhere all week long.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
Lidewij drove a clunky gray Fiat with an engine that sounded like an excited four-year-old girl.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
