enact
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make into an act or statute.
Congress has enacted a new tax law.
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to represent on or as on the stage; act the part of.
to enact Hamlet.
verb
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to make into an act or statute
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to establish by law; ordain or decree
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to represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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enactmentnoun
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enactornoun
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preenactverb (used with object)
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reenactverb (used with object)
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enactableadjective
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enactiveadjective
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unenactedadjective
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well-enactedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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enactsimple
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enactssimple
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have enactedperfect
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has enactedperfect
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am enactingprogressive
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are enactingprogressive
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is enactingprogressive
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have been enactingperfect progressive
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has been enactingperfect progressive
Past
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enactedsimple
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had enactedperfect
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was enactingprogressive
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were enactingprogressive
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had been enactingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of enact
First recorded in 1375–1425, enact is from the late Middle English word enacten. See en- 1, act
Explanation
You often hear that Congress is going to enact a new statute, which means that they will make it into a law. But enact also means to perform, like in a play. (Makes you wonder if the lawmakers are actors!) Inside the word enact is that little word act, meaning “to do.” That makes sense, because when you enact something, you make it happen. And of course, we know that to act also means to perform, and so enact means “to act out,” like on stage. Now that the new rules have been enacted, you'll have to stop wearing your gorilla suit to work. Even after Labor Day.
Vocabulary lists containing enact
The Mayflower Compact (1620)
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Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
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Just Do It: Act
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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.
See Examples For:
Australia will enact laws to regulate how artificial intelligence data centres use power and water, and to protect creative copyright, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
The failure of successive governments to enact such a law fuelled frustration among those seeking tougher punishment for sacrilege, increasing pressure on the AAP government to act.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Renewed focus on child safety in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe comes months after Australia became the first country in the world to enact a social-media ban for under 16s.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Mother and son enact a similar situation where, after a more permanent leave-taking, she can catch a glimpse of her son recovering himself sufficiently to survive her loss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
Of his being Fayette County’s elected representative to the legislature and driving over to Charleston to put his head together with other important heads and enact profound laws.
From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant
The greater risk is that Washington, preparing for the wrong labor-market shock, enacts policies that make it more difficult to adapt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026
UC will adjust its plan depending on what the state ultimately enacts in June.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2024
The Taoiseach said he had waited until now because he wanted the Finance Bill, which enacts the Budget changes and contains new tax provisions, to be passed.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2024
With McConnell’s support, legal hemp was added to the massive agriculture law, or “farm bill,” that Congress usually enacts every five years.
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2024
In a separate act, the Continental Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, which outlaws slavery in the territories north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi Rivers.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Three years after it was enacted, 96% of people over 65 had hospital insurance.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
What was called winter daylight saving time was briefly enacted in 1974.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
While dozens of US cities and counties have enacted local restrictions on data centers, New York's is the first statewide pause.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
Fifa enacted a clause in its disciplinary code which allows it to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure".
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
My heart goes out to all of us who in those afternoons at Small’s enacted our scene with Fewclothes.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
“At the same time, we are encouraged that Congress can prevent similarly situated taxpayers from facing the same unfair result by enacting the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
Policymakers also have been busy enacting privacy laws—and they have done so remarkably quickly.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
Strong majorities of Californians believe democracy is under attack and support enacting a new state Voting Rights Act to prohibit discrimination and efforts to suppress voting, a poll showed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
Their work caring for others in the name of enacting a more just vision of our country, whether on the national stage or in their everyday lives, is profoundly, fundamentally American.
From Slate ● May 26, 2026
Well, I guess Dad finally decided to stop “giving me some space” and start enacting a plan of action, shall we say.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
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.
