fiat

[fee-aht, -at, fahy-uht, -at]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiat¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiat¹

C17: from Latin, literally: let it be done, from fierī to become

Example Sentences

He practically governs by fiat on Truth Social as if he were a medieval lord, while his minions relentlessly disperse their anger and vitriol across cyberspace.

From Salon

“Yet, by executive fiat, the President ordered the Secretary of Education to ‘take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department’ ...

From Los Angeles Times

But Pip rebukes Walker for “changing the temperature” of every room by “tyrannical, psychosocial … fiat.”

From Los Angeles Times

Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, Miller said that the California politicians were attempting "to control America’s entire immigration policy by fiat."

From Salon

Make no mistake: In effect, these 6,300 living, breathing individuals have been declared “dead” by Trump administration fiat.

From Los Angeles Times