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

Derived Forms

• reenactment
  noun
• nonenactment
  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

Given the repeated warnings states have received about this issue, one might ask why CMS hasn’t insisted on enforcing the new restrictions retroactive to the enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill in July.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

“Next, looking to the record, we find virtually no evidence that race predominated in the voters’ enactment of the Proposition 50 Map.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

All legislation should require that any challenge must be commenced within, say, 30 days of the law’s enactment.

From Slate • Dec. 29, 2025

This enactment of defeat depressed everyone’s spirits further.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• legislation
• proclamation
• ratification