consent decree

American  

noun

Law.

1. an agreement, approved by the court, pursuant to which the defendant ceases activities alleged by the government to be illegal and the government's action is dropped, especially in antitrust and other regulatory matters.

2. an agreement made in court by the parties to settle a suit in equity.

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Etymology

Origin of consent decree

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

consent decree

Nor did it craft a consent decree or enforceable pledge to ensure compliance.

From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2026

The railroad has since struck a $310 million consent decree with the federal government and state of Ohio for cleanup costs, civil penalties and funding for a 20-year community-health program and medical monitoring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

"Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly," the department said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

First, does either a federal consent decree that Arizona entered into 2018 or a federal law, the National Voter Registration Act, prevent Arizona from rejecting voter registrations when voters don’t produce documentary proof of citizenship?

From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026

Should that consent decree provide for the appointment of an advisor or advisors to the court for any purpose, any such advisor shall be the special master so named by the court.

From Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code, Circular 92 by United States