enact
Americanverb (used with object)
-
enacts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
enacted,
past participle, past
-
enacting
present participle
-
to make into an act or statute.
Congress has enacted a new tax law.
-
to represent on or as on the stage; act the part of.
to enact Hamlet.
verb
-
to make into an act or statute
-
to establish by law; ordain or decree
-
to represent or perform in or as if in a play; to act out
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
enactmentnoun
-
enactornoun
-
preenactverb (used with object)
-
reenactverb (used with object)
-
enactableadjective
-
enactiveadjective
-
unenactedadjective
-
well-enactedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
enactsimple
-
enactssimple
-
have enactedperfect
-
has enactedperfect
-
am enactingprogressive
-
are enactingprogressive
-
is enactingprogressive
-
have been enactingperfect progressive
-
has been enactingperfect progressive
Past
-
enactedsimple
-
had enactedperfect
-
was enactingprogressive
-
were enactingprogressive
-
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)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Just Do It: Act
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Each of us has that ability to enact change.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
As part of the deal, the firm promised to enact two-hour daily time limits for young users, along with night-time blocks on use, muted notifications during school hours, and other changes.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
No provision of the Constitution says in so many words that Congress may not compel state officials to carry out federal law-enforcement responsibilities or to enact legislation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
TikTok on Friday agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and enact time limits and other restrictions for teen users, avoiding trial with a settlement modeled on Instagram-owner Meta's recent agreement with US states.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
That was the only way to enact her plan to get into the family vault.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
But sometimes the law Congress enacts explicitly directs the judiciary to defer to the views of federal agencies who have studied a difficult problem and made evidence-based recommendations.
From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026
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
If elected governor, Villaraigosa said he would “reform and overhaul” the California Air Resources Board, which enacts many of the state’s environmental laws — including the low carbon fuel standard and cap-and-invest program.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026
The true danger lies not only in what the state enacts, but in what the public comes to accept as normal, even necessary.
From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2025
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
In July, she enacted a three-year pause on any new tax break given to a company for a data centres project.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
But taken together, government pledges would cover only 27 percent of land and inland waters by the end of this decade if enacted in full.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
The administration has not detailed how such a $5,000 payment would be funded or enacted.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
Following his inspiration, Congress enacted the National Endowment for Democracy to promote and resource democratic ideals around the world.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
State legislatures enacted harsh new punishments for crimes, naming statutes after particular victims.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
"We are working closely with our partners and are enacting the well-rehearsed plans we have in place."
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
She’s enacting the No. 1 piece of advice I give all my straight, single female pals suffering from go-nowhere serial monogamy: Date a minimum of three men.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
District Court Judge Indira Talwani, a federal judge in Massachusetts, who will decide in the coming days whether to issue a permanent ban on enacting the system for this election.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
CBS News head Bari Weiss, whom Ellison brought on when he bought her company Free Press, last year, has been under fire for changes she is enacting at the news organization.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 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
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
