dictate
verb (used with object)
to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.
dictated
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past participleof dictate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof dictate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
dictateverb (used with object)to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.
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.
“And I helped make sure they dictated that,” said Jose Ugarte, a former aide to the district’s incumbent councilmember, Curren Price.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
The champion dictated the pace in the early rounds.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Which was something short of thought, but certainly dictated its cousin, behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
This is often because studios themselves dictated the stories and angles being written about.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2026
Regulations dictated that conversation had to be in either English or Afrikaans — African languages were forbidden — and could involve family matters only.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
