decree

[dih-kree]

noun

1. a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law.

   a presidential decree.

2. Law.,  a judicial decision or order.

3. Theology.,  one of the eternal purposes of God, by which events are foreordained.

verb (used with or without object)

decreed, decreeing 

1. to command, ordain, or decide by decree.

decree

/ dɪˈkriː /

noun

1. an edict, law, etc, made by someone in authority

2. an order or judgment of a court made after hearing a suit, esp in matrimonial proceedings See decree nisi decree absolute

verb

1. to order, adjudge, or ordain by decree

Other Word Forms

• predecree verb (used with object)
• undecreed adjective
• well-decreed adjective
• decreer noun
• decreeable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decree¹

1275–1325; (noun) Middle English decre < Anglo-French decre, decret < Latin dēcrētum, noun use of neuter of dēcrētus, past participle of dēcernere; decern; (v.) Middle English decreen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decree¹

C14: from Old French decre, from Latin dēcrētum ordinance, from dēcrētus decided, past participle of dēcernere to determine; see _decern

Example Sentences

The latest measure formalised through a presidential decree.

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The items were taken to Europe during a time when Canadian law, as well as Catholic decrees, prohibited native spiritual practices, leading to a ban on certain items used during ceremonies.

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No explanation was given for the dismissals, which were announced in a decree broadcast on state television.

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In a decree read by the presidential military secretary, Suharto was named among the 10 people to be added to the country's catalogue of national heroes.

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That spurred demand from investors who bet that silver bits would hold value better than currency backed only by government decree.

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Related Words

• act 
• announcement 
• directive 
• edict 
• injunction 
• instruction 
• judgment 
• law 
• order 
• proclamation 
• regulation 
• rule 
• ruling 
• statute