Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of enactment
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."
Vocabulary lists containing enactment
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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.
These actions undermined the slaveholders’ power, destabilized systems of slavery and, in some cases, hastened the enactment of emancipatory laws.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 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
The law calls for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all Epstein-related documents held by the Justice Department within 30 days of its Nov. 19 enactment.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
The ECOA’s enactment made it illegal for lenders to refuse to lend to certain groups, or charge them higher interest rates because of their race, color, religion, sex or other protected status.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025
Few criticisms of the legislation could be heard en route to enactment.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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.
