enactment

American  

[en-akt-muhnt] / ɛnˈækt mənt /

noun

enactments plural

1. the act of enacting.

2. the state or fact of being enacted.

3. something that is enacted; a law or statute.

4. a single provision of a law.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonenactment
  noun
• reenactment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• enactments
  plural

Etymology

Origin of enactment

First recorded in 1810–20; enact + -ment

Explanation

The process of making something into a law is enactment. The enactment of new legislation in your town means that you'll now have to keep your dog on a leash in all public parks. Enactment comes from the verb enact, which has long been used to mean "establish as law." This legal terminology has "act" at its center, meaning both "to do" and "written proof of something that's been said, done, or agreed to." Legitimizing this kind of act as law is where enactment comes in. You can also use this word for the resulting law itself: "The enactment doesn't affect me — I never let my dog off her leash anyway."

Example Sentences

To make that enactment concrete, Rosenzweig founded a pioneering adult-education institute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The bond market appears unworried about the next decade, even as tariff’s enactment and now reversal heightens global trade uncertainty.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

All legislation should require that any challenge must be commenced within, say, 30 days of the law’s enactment.

From Slate • Dec. 29, 2025

I recall the intense inner excitement aroused in my heart by Alla Nazimova’s enactment of Mrs. Alving in a performance of Ibsen’s “Ghosts” in the 1930s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Few criticisms of the legislation could be heard en route to enactment.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• legislation
• proclamation
• ratification