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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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.
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
Ultimately, pro-democracy Americans will need to learn and enact what can be described as political grit — an antidote to despair that combines practical, spiritual and emotional approaches to political action.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
"No matter how much they ban foreign culture and even enact laws, North Korea is a place where there is nothing the supreme leader is unable to do."
From BBC • May 5, 2026
There will be strong political pressure to enact energy and food price subsidies, especially for lower income households.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
In March, the German parliament endorsed the Enabling Act, granting Hitler unprecedented power to enact laws without parliamentary involvement.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
