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fiat

American  
[fee-aht, -at, fahy-uht, -at] / ˈfi ɑt, -æt, ˈfaɪ ət, -æt /

noun

  1. an authoritative decree, sanction, or order.

    a royal fiat.

    Synonyms:
    ukase, diktat, mandate, ruling, directive, authorization
  2. a fixed form of words containing the word fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction, or authorization.

  3. an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it.

    The king ruled by fiat.


fiat British  
/ ˈfaɪət, -æt /

noun

  1. official sanction; authoritative permission

  2. an arbitrary order or decree

  3. literary any command, decision, or act of will that brings something about

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fiat

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “let it be done,” 3rd-person singular present subjunctive of fierī “to become”

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.

Investors across major economies are increasingly concerned about stressed global economic conditions and fiat currencies.

From The Wall Street Journal

As such, the so-called debasement trade —whereby investors retreat from assets such as the U.S. dollar due to concerns around fiat currencies—could propel Bitcoin.

From Barron's

He also says the buzzy “debasement” trade — investors swapping fiat currencies like the dollar for assets like gold and bitcoin — is “more vibes than execution.”

From MarketWatch

Gold surpasses $5,000 an ounce for the first time, and silver rises sharply as investors seek alternatives to fiat currency.

From Barron's

Gold’s impressive run of form can be chalked up to the so-called debasement trade, in which investors retreat from assets like the U.S. dollar due to concerns around fiat currencies.

From Barron's